Medical Tourism Continues To Boom: Thailand

[webfact]

Medical tourism continues to boom

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More and more foreigners are seeking medical treatment in Thailand each year, with 2012 expecting to see 2.53 million foreign patients generating Bt121.6 billion in income.

Most popular treatments are for orthopedics, heart surgery, cosmetic surgery and dental work, a senior official said yesterday.

Department of Health Service Support chief Somchai Pinyopornpanich reported the growing trend - 1.37 million foreigners in 2007 generated Bt41 billion; 1.38 million in 2008, Bt50.9 billion; 1.39 million in 2009, Bt63.3 billion; 1.98 million in 2010, Bt78.7 billion; and 2.24 million in 2011 generated Bt97.8 billion.

The top five countries were Japan, USA, UK, Middle East and Australia.

Somchai said the three main groups of foreigners seeking medical treatment were - foreign residents (41.4 per cent), tourists who use some medical services during their stay (32 per cent), and visitors seeking specific medical treatments here (26.6 per cent).

He said a medical hub campaign (focusing on medical treatment, Thai spa, Thai traditional medicine and Thai herbs) would improve Thai medical services in general.

-- The Nation 2012-07-17

[Felt 35]

Foreign residents (41.4 %) = Not tourists

Tourist use some medical service (32%) = Traffic accidents, Jet ski accidents, tuktuk beating, rape, nearly murdered,etc (dont think they come for that treatment)

Specific medical treatments here (26.6%) = Massage

[Jingthing]

Foreign residents (41.4 %) = Not tourists

Tourist use some medical service (32%) = Traffic accidents, Jet ski accidents, tuktuk beating, rape, nearly murdered,etc (dont think they come for that treatment)

Specific medical treatments here (26.6%) = Massage

Yes it's a shame and very twisted indeed that foreign residents are classified with medical tourism. Of course that's how Thais see us, so I guess it reflects their reality.

[Yunla]

I had double hip replacement surgery here in Bangkok ten years ago. Prices are very competitive and Bangkok has some of the world's leading orthopedic surgeons too. Plus it is sunny which helps recovery post surgery. I was here anyway but would have made the journey for the surgery if I had been in Europe.

Edited July 17, 2012 by Yunla

[kutjebu]

Foreigners use some medical service for Drunk and driving,drugs,motorbike accidents,hiv etc.

[jaltsc]

Since when did the "Middle East" become a country? I hope the doctors' knowledge of anatomy is better than the Nation's knowledge of geography.

[carra]

I don't think foreign residents are classed as medical tourists, however people here on VOA or tourist visa are. there is a distinction between medical tourists (people that come here specifically for treatment) and those that seek treatment whilst here on a tourist visa, however the hospitals do not show this in their figures as they choose to not make the distinction.

[softgeorge]

Foreign residents (41.4 %) = Not tourists

Tourist use some medical service (32%) = Traffic accidents, Jet ski accidents, tuktuk beating, rape, nearly murdered,etc (dont think they come for that treatment)

Specific medical treatments here (26.6%) = Massage

41.4% are farang residents (expats) hardly indicates that medical tourism is booming unless Thailand will always consider expats as merely tourists.

I can understand why Australian are travelling to Asia for Medical/Dental treatment as the health system in Australia is appaling. There is a story in the Australian media today of a young girl who requires open heart surgery but there are simply no intensive care beds available the waiting lists are long. Elderly patients spend days on trollies in waiting rooms to see a doctor and you can wait years for elective surgery (Varicose veins, kidney stones etc) My father was on a waiting list for two (2) years for kidney stones, he eventually came to Thailand had a holiday and the operation. The cost of both the holiday and operation combined was less than he would have paid for the operation alone in Australia. No complications after surgery and living more comfortably now. The costs of Dental treatment in Australia is well out of reach for many aussies and many suffer from poor dental hygine which totally unacceptable for a developed country with one of the best economies in the world. Again I can understand why they travel to Thailand for quality dental work at affordable prices, holiday and dental work combined at a fraction of the price back home.

I have spent a week in the Chiangmai Ram Hospital and I couldn't speak more highly of thier expertise and quality of care, from experience they make Australian hospitals look 3rd rate. From my experience and those of friends and family who have used Thai facities I would have to give them a 9/10 for price and quality, 10/10 if the hospital food was better and free wifi.

Yes I can have a dig at thailand on other things but not on thier health system.

[noitom]

Check out the math - 2.5 million "foreign patients" and 121.5 "billion." baht. So how much is that for each patient?

[h90]

Foreign residents (41.4 %) = Not tourists

Tourist use some medical service (32%) = Traffic accidents, Jet ski accidents, tuktuk beating, rape, nearly murdered,etc (dont think they come for that treatment)

Specific medical treatments here (26.6%) = Massage

you forgot the food poisoning. That is for sure top on the list.

[softgeorge]

Check out the math - 2.5 million "foreign patients" and 121.5 "billion." baht. So how much is that for each patient?

probably around 480K per person

[slapout]

The accidnets, plus those food related, and then throw in the illness picked up just by association and you have a large number of doctor/hospital visits by vistors and expats. The ease with which you can see a doctor here makes for every hospital/doctors reception, area being to be busy,. If you weren't sick before you went, you have certaintly increased your chances via exposure.

Have few complaints about health care in Thailand, if you are selective and do a little background check, prior to seeking help. You just have to break that individual to doctor barrier which seems to be commonplace in this country.

[Ferangled]

Personally this is one "HUB" that I think holds some merit... The private healthcare over here is generally much better and cheaper than many Western countries and as Yunla pointed out, the climate is beneficial to recovery.

Cosmetic surgery seems to be popular and a friend I have with a condo by the Bangkok International in Phuket reports a steady stream of foreigners leaving with certain obvious frontal "enhancements"...boobs aside, my dentist (very professional, reasonably priced and great standard of work), does a steady trade in foreign dental treatments, and offers "all inclusive" deals, with flights, hotel and treatments...

[WhizBang]

Somchai said the three main groups of foreigners seeking medical treatment were - foreign residents (41.4 per cent), tourists who use some medical services during their stay (32 per cent), and visitors seeking specific medical treatments here (26.6 per cent).

Foreign residents (41.1%) and tourists who use some medical service during their stay (due to accident/mishap?) (32%) are NOT Medical Tourists.

So medical tourists are really only 26.6% of all foreigners treated, at best.

[BirdsandBooze]

Some years back my wife and I were in Ubon, walking to a restaurant one evening, when I suddenly collapsed in the street and sustained a deep head cut and fractured skull. I can't speak too highly of the prompt and expert treatment I received, both in the ambulance and at the hospital, all covered by my medical insurance policy. It has certainly given me peace of mind should I ever require medical treatment again.

[how241]

Some years back my wife and I were in Ubon, walking to a restaurant one evening, when I suddenly collapsed in the street and sustained a deep head cut and fractured skull. I can't speak too highly of the prompt and expert treatment I received, both in the ambulance and at the hospital, all covered by my medical insurance policy. It has certainly given me peace of mind should I ever require medical treatment again.

Foreign residents (41.4 %) = Not tourists

Tourist use some medical service (32%) = Traffic accidents, Jet ski accidents, tuktuk beating, rape, nearly murdered,etc (dont think they come for that treatment)

Specific medical treatments here (26.6%) = Massage

41.4% are farang residents (expats) hardly indicates that medical tourism is booming unless Thailand will always consider expats as merely tourists.

I can understand why Australian are travelling to Asia for Medical/Dental treatment as the health system in Australia is appaling. There is a story in the Australian media today of a young girl who requires open heart surgery but there are simply no intensive care beds available the waiting lists are long. Elderly patients spend days on trollies in waiting rooms to see a doctor and you can wait years for elective surgery (Varicose veins, kidney stones etc) My father was on a waiting list for two (2) years for kidney stones, he eventually came to Thailand had a holiday and the operation. The cost of both the holiday and operation combined was less than he would have paid for the operation alone in Australia. No complications after surgery and living more comfortably now. The costs of Dental treatment in Australia is well out of reach for many aussies and many suffer from poor dental hygine which totally unacceptable for a developed country with one of the best economies in the world. Again I can understand why they travel to Thailand for quality dental work at affordable prices, holiday and dental work combined at a fraction of the price back home.

I have spent a week in the Chiangmai Ram Hospital and I couldn't speak more highly of thier expertise and quality of care, from experience they make Australian hospitals look 3rd rate. From my experience and those of friends and family who have used Thai facities I would have to give them a 9/10 for price and quality, 10/10 if the hospital food was better and free wifi.

Yes I can have a dig at thailand on other things but not on thier health system.

Good post. +1

[Roota]

Despite the garbled reporting, yes, medical tourism to Thailand is very considerable and is still growing. A lot of people combine it with a holiday here, so even the best figures can be somewhat confusing. And these aren't the best figures.

As for its quality . . . well, despite the effective PR of some of the more marketing-oriented hospitals here, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that while you can do very well with things like plastic surgery here, you'd want to be a lot more cautious about treatment for, say, heart disease or cancer. Personally, if I had to deal with the latter, I'd be on the first plane to Singapore.

[Narratio]

Hmmm, although I've been living in Thailand since '85 (wife, kids, pickup, house etc), I don't work here, so I probably count as a medical tourist I suppose.

I've always been impressed with Thai medical practices. I've never needed anything major, but for the minor aliments like bruises , small sprains or bone fractures etc plus the dental and optical, I've had no problems with the quality of service I've paid for.

I agree with Ferangled. There is some merit to this 'Hub'.

[Felt 35]

I had double hip replacement surgery here in Bangkok ten years ago. Prices are very competitive and Bangkok has some of the world's leading orthopedic surgeons too. Plus it is sunny which helps recovery post surgery. I was here anyway but would have made the journey for the surgery if I had been in Europe.

I know that there are many excellent hospitals with a service we can only dream about in the west and many very well educated (often better educated than in the west) doctors in Thailand. When that is said it can take a search to get to the best in their respective specialty.

My point was just that when the biggest group in the "medical tourist boom" is foreign residents the report itself have no point. To exaggerate a bit we could also be led to believe that we with the report over are included in TATs general tourist count and so on……..

[Ferangled]

I had double hip replacement surgery here in Bangkok ten years ago. Prices are very competitive and Bangkok has some of the world's leading orthopedic surgeons too. Plus it is sunny which helps recovery post surgery. I was here anyway but would have made the journey for the surgery if I had been in Europe.

I know that there are many excellent hospitals with a service we can only dream about in the west and many very well educated (often better educated than in the west) doctors in Thailand. When that is said it can take a search to get to the best in their respective specialty.

My point was just that when the biggest group in the "medical tourist boom" is foreign residents the report itself have no point. To exaggerate a bit we could also be led to believe that we with the report over are included in TATs general tourist count and so on……..

I think that really depends on what visas people have used to gain entry into Thailand. Personally I don't consider those on tourist visas as residents, but those on retirement/ business visas should be classed differently and not count towards any "tourist" statistics... although strictly speaking still not residents. The actual number of foreigners with Thai residency is extremely low but that's another thread altogether!

I realise that many people on tourist visas are actually long stay residents in practice but the fact these are counted towards tourist statistics shouldn't detract from the reality that there is great quality private healthcare here and Thailand does offer itself as a very viable medical tourism destination.

I'm fairly sure there is a booming trade in medical tourism here, and my own experiences suggest that this is the case, despite any inaccuracies in statistics which I see as a result of the Thai immigration policies rather than any miss-information from TAT.

[alant]

I have to confess to promoting (if recommending it to my friends and visitors is promoting) such things as dentistry and getting a new pair of spectacles. Overall I am quite happy with the care I receive here on the general medical front as well but, I have yet to have surgery here and my concern is that there is no come back if it goes wrong. If those involved are not to be held to account should they "mess up" then I feel it may lead to lesser standards of care.

I therefore tend not to recommend Thailand for surgery to any of my friends considering it. Maybe I am being a little cautious?

[Ferangled]

I have to confess to promoting (if recommending it to my friends and visitors is promoting) such things as dentistry and getting a new pair of spectacles. Overall I am quite happy with the care I receive here on the general medical front as well but, I have yet to have surgery here and my concern is that there is no come back if it goes wrong. If those involved are not to be held to account should they "mess up" then I feel it may lead to lesser standards of care.

I therefore tend not to recommend Thailand for surgery to any of my friends considering it. Maybe I am being a little cautious?

I would be hesitant when it comes to major surgery as in such cases I would seek advice for a particular specialist/ hospital with the best reputation in that field, regardless of where they might be. I still think that the top Western hospitals are at the forefront in medical research & development, but in reality most of these "top specialists" are out of the reach of your average guy on the street anyway.

I think there lies the real benefit for many; if you are reliant on a system like the NHS in the UK, unable to afford private medical care in your own country, Thailand offers an alternative, private care that may well be within your budget.

For dentistry, cosmetic surgery and routine operations I wouldn't have any issue recommending selected private Thai hospitals & clinics. Brain/ heart surgery? Perhaps not... I'd certainly be seeking outside advice first and recommendations.

[gark]

I'll be damned if I ever go to a dentist in the US except in an emergency. The worst and most expensive dentists are in America. A lousy filling will set you back $350, while here in Thailand I recently got 2 root canals in a 1st class clinic for $290, then a high-end crown for $550 dentist's fee included. A perfect job.

[evadgib]

Since when did the "Middle East" become a country? I hope the doctors' knowledge of anatomy is better than the Nation's knowledge of geography.

2 weeks ago Fox news interrupted their schedule to go "live to Europe". I was a little suprised to find that the European capital that caught their attention was.......Cairo!

Back on Topic; I spent 2 weeks in Bumrungrad @GBP 1k per night to my insurers. The treatment was excellent but the price hike @ renewal time meant I had to settle for significantly less cover than I would have liked.

Edited July 17, 2012 by evadgib

[Anon999]

Check out the math - 2.5 million "foreign patients" and 121.5 "billion." baht. So how much is that for each patient?

48,000 baht

[metisdead]

Off topic rants about journalism have been removed.

[puipuitom]

Medical tourist: YES, I am one of them.

I travel for business since 1993 to Thailand.

Lower back pain since 1989.

In 2001 a physiotherapy treatment in Bumrungrad (BRR)

In 2010 it went really wrong with a new phenomenon: like I was standing on an electric wire / holding it in the hands. 2 months therapy in Netherlands (NL) , but no result. So, my family doctor wrote a referral for a neurologist in my home town hospital. Only, in Netherlands... there is not per immediate place, so I had to wait for 7 weeks ( I never succeeded to explain that in Asia: it hurts now, so I go to a hospital NOW, not 1-3 months later)

As I had to go on business tour to Bangkok, I asked my health insurance co, if I was allowed to see a doctor in hospital B)angkok instead of A)mphya-NL.

Per e-mail I got as answer: when it is NOT an emergency: pay there and declare your specified invoices here.

So I did:

Saturday 3 July I walked in BRR: as no appointment, I had to wait very long: 45 MINUTES, not as in NL: 45 DAYS for neurologist Dr Paisan, who found out in maybe 5 min I had to see his spine colleague, Dr Verapan. Appointment .. next Tuesday.

During that consult: "I need a MRI scan < when are you ( patient) available?" "Dr, it hurts, so.. tonight 03:00 H". "Sorry, not possible, but Thursday morning, 04:30, you are the first and that day: come to see me."

So, Thursday: "I need another MRI, so.. Friday, evening maybe 22:30-23:30h as you are the last; be flexible in time ! See you Monday ".

( In NL.. before 09:00 nothing is open and after 16:00h all closed, so you have to wait.,. 2-4 weeks !)

Monday investigation, Tuesday 06:00 in hospital for treatment till 12:00h. Comment: this probably might not be sufficient, and we probably will see you back in 3-5 months for a spondylodese ( fixing of 3 back bones )

8 days from start till finish and.. the FIRST doctor ever, who made a right diagnosis, as.. in Dec 2011 back in NL again wrong. I went with all Thai material to Belgium, where they did the already forecasted operations.

Pain in a back muscle: first time in 12 years any doctor started a treatment which helped: Dr Wannee of BRR.

But now.. the medical bills for my Dutch healthcare insurance VGZ:

a) sorry, unknown hospital Bumrungrad

sorry, the doctors are not qualified ( Dr Verapan demonstrates at several places in the world new technology, till even in Germany)

c) cannot ready the invoices as are in Thai ( NOT, are bi-lingual: English + Thai, as you might expect from an international Thai hospital)

d) invoices are not specified enough ( come on. till 30 positions, even a bunch of needles are mentioned of 120 THB )

e) no medical reports available ( not correct, even with that other doctors could see, what was diagnosed and done)

f) all doctors at BBR did “Inappropriate care” ( sorry, acc medical reports did EXACTLY the same as I found in over 30 websites of hospitals, inclusive Dutch Uni ). For me, this is defamation of the appropriate doctors, but.. NO response from PR-dept. of BRR hospital ( khun Palmy)

So, I try the legal way to get my medical bills paid and asked my Dutch juridical assistance insurance for help.

Also a Dutch TV program was interested in the case, IF.. they could get some video about the Thai hospital Bumrungrad. But despite asking, NO support from them.

For me, Bumrungrad is FAR BETTER as any hospital I saw in Netherlands.

[geriatrickid]

It is wonderful to see these glowing reports. Unfortunately, do you know what's missing? The listing of patients that have complications and the hospital related infection incidence. Hospitals are dirty places and patients often contract infections. It's normal. How come, you never hear about it in Thailand? There have been outbreaks of c. difficile, but you wouldn't know that because the numbers are never released.

It is not unusual for hospitals to get mold in their HVAC and this can shut down the surgeries. It is expected to be more severe in any country that has high humidity and warmth. I have yet to see one case reported in Thailand. There is also minimal reporting of medical malpractice. Based upon the press coverage, it seems that medical errors are a rarity in Thailand.

Thailand's hospitals do offer advantages for those that can pay for medical care. However, if one looks at the total costs of procedures including the costs and risks associated with recovery, they are not any better than most hospitals in Australia, the USA, EU etc. The thing is, you don't discover this until you are the patient that has the infection. Sorry, but if I needed quality medical care, I would go to Singapore. It is more expensive, but at elast I know that the Singapore hospitals have high standards and that the medical instruments are usually properly sterilized.

I don't doubt that Thailand fills an important void in middle eastern medical care. People from countries without access to medical care can obtain the procedures. However, there really isn't an overall medical advantage for western tourists to seek out medical care in Thailand and in fairness to Thailand, the medical establishment has never made that claim. For some foreigners, the system works, and I recognize that. However, for many other foreigners, they are taking on risks that they are unaware of.

[tebee]

My wife works in a hospital that deals almost entirely with medical tourists. In this case most come from Russia and recently they have been very, very busy - it was hard for her to get a couple of weeks off to come and visit me in back in Europe recently. Many are are here for cosmetic surgery, breast implants being a favourite, but there are others who come for more serious complaints including cancer.

As for the quality of care, I can only say that when I had an accident earlier in the year ( I fell down the stairs, landing on my head, and before you ask, no I wasn't drunk) she had me sent to a different hospital, not hers. She also had to bribe the ambulance driver to take me to the hospital of her choice not his - do they get a commision for the cases they bring in ?

Tom

[atyclb]

On an international level http://www.apollohospitals.com/ Apollo Hospitals, India are bigger.