South Korea and medical tourism
South Korea's hopes of promoting "medical tourism" based on the early success of the announcements of the World Stem Cell Hub and Hwang's 11 stem cell lines have certainly dimmed in the past couple of weeks. While reports vary, it is quite certain that Hwan's results will be thoroughly scruntinized--as anybody's results should be.
Why was a group in South Korea hoping to draw patients there for stem cell treatments? Of course, one of the immediate answers is money. Medical tourism, as it is called, is a move by a number of countries to lure patients in for treatments that are prohibited elsewhere or cost less in the interested country.
While Mexican clinics did much the same for cancer patients, tourism was not usually part of the promise. Now, several countries--primarily in Asia--are offering medical treatments at lower costs and combining these with the lure of visiting a new land. Sort of a combined boost for both the body and the spirit.
Having just returned from a tourist trip, I can't imagine combining medical treatment and touring the sights--especially not when it comes to stem cell treatments. Bone marrow and umbilical cord stem treatments require a lot of preparation and follow-up. I wonder how many people would want to be away from home, even visiting the sights, for such a long time? I can speak with such disdain because I don't currently need a stem cell transplant. What about those who do?
Marie Godfrey, PhD
I never tried medical
I never tried medical tourism but thought about it to get dental work done, i often take Greek island cruises and was hoping there would be places to go there but with the euro its to expensive to do especially while on vacation.
I've read a lot about it and
I've read a lot about it and considering you can even go to some european countries and get treatment and far less than what it costs in the US it makes sense. They have doctors as good as we do in the US, and drug treatments are a lot less.
After our niagara falls
After our Niagra Falls wedding, for our honey moon we went over to europe and were amazed at the prices on even just walking in to a pharmacy or hospital and some relatives were telling us compared to the states everything is cheaper.
Has Anyone Actually Tried Medical Tourism?
Has Anyone Actually Tried Medical Tourism? We've read about it, heard about it, and even talked about it. But how many of us know someone who has gone on a health vacation to India? Anyone ever come back from Thailand with a new hip? Is there any forum where real people can discuss real medical tourism issues - http://www.healthmedicaltourism.org