In countries where medical resources can be limited and local healthcare systems are overburdened, a ray of hope shines for patients needing personalized care or a novel treatment approach – medical tourism. But what exactly is medical tourism, and how can it change your approach to healthcare? This increasingly popular solution transcends geographical borders to enable you to take advantage of cutting-edge medical expertise. If your health issues make standard air travel problematic, our medical flights provide you with total safety and peace of mind. Read on to learn more about medical tourism and how our ambulance planes may help you achieve your health goals.
Important things to know when considering medical tourism?
Medical tourism offers cost-saving opportunities and access to specialty treatments in countries with developed medical systems.
The most preferred destinations for medical tourism include Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Popular treatments among medical tourists include dentistry, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment, and complex heart surgery.
Air ambulance and medical escort services provide efficient transportation for patients traveling for medical treatment.
We offer 24/7 support, multilingual staff, and affordable prices to ensure a comfortable travel experience.
What is medical tourism? Definition and advantages
As its name indicates, medical tourism is the practice of intentionally traveling to another country to receive medical treatment.
There are various reasons why patients worldwide pick this solution, namely:
Cost savings: One of the key reasons you may consider medical tourism is the possibility of significant financial savings. In countries with lower living costs, such as India, medical tourism might be a far more cost-effective choice than local healthcare.
Access to specialized treatments: Medical tourism allows you to experience new therapeutic approaches that may not be available in your native country. Countries like Japan, which are leaders in medical technology, offer modern surgical techniques that greatly reduce the time required for post-surgery healing.
High-quality care: Internationally recognized researchers and experts are at the forefront of these medical advances. Many focus on rare and complex diseases such as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome (progeria), age-related macular degeneration, and bipolar disorder, making it easier to find alternative treatment options.
Shorter waiting times: Even in developed countries, waiting times for some treatments, especially surgeries and organ transplants, can be very long, impacting quality of life and putting people at risk. Scheduling your procedure overseas can help you avoid administrative delays and reduce wait times.
What are the most popular medical tourism destinations?
Every year, millions of people fly from countries with limited healthcare or poor healthcare infrastructure to countries with better-equipped medical facilities. However, choosing a destination for your medical needs can be a challenging task riddled with risks.
To help you make the safest choice, the Medical Tourism Index rates health destinations against three important parameters:
The destination environment which assesses the socioeconomic and cultural elements that drive inbound travel.
The quality of facilities and services which evaluates healthcare personnel, quality of care and third-party accreditations.
The medical tourism industry itself which examines health facilities, communication and management of tourist accommodation.
Top 5 medical tourism destinations
Based on the indications above, the top 5 medical tourism destinations are:
Canada: Canada has a reputation for providing world-class hospitals with exceptional medical care, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery.
Singapore: Singapore boasts among the finest multi-specialty institutions that partner with centers of excellence all around the world, including the Singapore General Hospital. It is a popular destination for a variety of cancer and cosmetic procedures.
Japan: Japan is at the forefront of the latest health technology and development, providing excellent health care services. Cheap treatment costs and extensive experience with minimally invasive medicine and technological advances in plastic and orthopedic surgery are the main drivers of medical tourism in Japan.
Spain: Spain has many internationally recognized hospitals, including the famous Hospital Universitario de Madrid. It attracts a growing number of international travelers from the Middle East, North Africa and the British Isles, many of whom seek modern orthopedic, cosmetic and dental care.
United Kingdom: The UK is home to prominent medical facilities such as the London Orthopedic Clinic, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Cambridge Complex Orthopedic Trauma Center, which are known for providing high-quality healthcare services.
Other popular regions that welcome medical tourists each year are Dubai, Costa Rica, Abu Dhabi, and India.
Advice: If you need medical treatment overseas, we strongly recommend hospitals and clinics that have been approved by Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA).
What are the most popular treatments among medical tourists?
As previously mentioned, some of the most common procedures that attract medical tourists include:
Dental work: dental implants, veneers, crowns and bridges.
Cosmetic surgery: rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction.
Orthopedic surgery: hip replacements, knee replacements, spinal surgery.
Cancer treatment: proton beam therapy, immunotherapy, targeted gene therapy.
Complex heart surgery: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve repair/replacement, minimally invasive heart surgery.
Other sought-after procedures comprise the following:
Hair transplants.
Gender reassignment surgery.
Eye surgery: LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment.
Weight loss surgery: gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, lap band surgery.
Fertility treatments: In vitro fertilization (IVF), egg donation, surrogacy.
Stem cell therapy: treatments for arthritis, autism, or Parkinson's disease.
Alternative medicine treatments: acupuncture, ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Flying before or after treatment/surgery abroad? Learn about our patient transport options
Although some of the procedures mentioned above, such as Lasik, dental implants or eye surgery, have a minimum downtime of 1-3 days, others require a longer recovery period. These include operations that require general anesthesia or open surgery, such as scoliosis or lumbar spine fusion (3-6 months), total hip replacement (6-12 weeks) and breast reconstruction surgery (6-8 weeks). What if your stay is coming to an end and you want to go home within a few days or weeks of your treatment? Discover our medical flight options!
Our air ambulance service
Our air ambulance services are a specialized mode of patient transportation designed to cater to individuals necessitating high-intensity or continuous air care to and from overseas healthcare facilities. These specially equipped flights carry cutting-edge medical apparatus and are manned by medical staff comprising doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Our medical personnel are capable of taking appropriate action in the event of a mid-flight medical emergency.
Our ambulance planes are primarily suited for gravely ill or injured patients, as well as individuals either undergoing or convalescing from significant operative procedures such as organ transplants, neurological surgeries, or intricate orthopedic surgeries, thereby necessitating rapid and secure transfer for further medical treatment or recovery.
To uphold patient safety and care standards, our air ambulances are outfitted with:
Sophisticated life support systems.
Diverse array of drugs and medicines.
Specialized stretchers for optimal comfort.
Did you know that? Our dedicated medical planes can also be used for non-emergency medical transportation for added safety and peace of mind.
Our commercial medical escort service
Our medical escort service is intended for patients who do not require the extensive equipment of an air ambulance. It is a viable alternative if you are stable enough to fly commercially, but still require medical care. By opting for this service, a qualified medical professional, such as a nurse or a doctor, will accompany you on a scheduled flight to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the entirety of the journey. Additionally, our commercial medical escort service is a cost-effective option for patients who have had minor procedures or whose symptoms can be managed with minimal intervention.
To ensure your safety during the flight, our medical escorts:
Provide continuous support and supervision during flight.
Carry essential medical equipment and supplies such as oxygen, medications, and monitoring devices.
Work with both airline staff and local medical teams to ensure a smooth and seamless travel experience.
Did you know that? Our medical escorts are not only medical professionals, but also travel companions, helping to alleviate loneliness, ease anxiety, and provide valuable emotional support.
How can you book a medical flight with us?
Booking a medical flight with us is a simple and easy process that can be completed in just 3 steps:
Contact our team: Contact us by phone, email, or via our website. A case manager will contact you within a reasonable time and request detailed information about your health, travel needs, and desired travel dates.
Get a customized quote: Our team will evaluate your needs and provide you with a customized quote based on factors such as the travel distance and the level of medical care required during your flight.
Confirm your booking: Once you have read and accepted our terms and conditions, our team will complete your booking and coordinate all aspects of your medical flight, including ground transportation for airport transfers.
What additional services can you expect from us?
We do everything we can to ensure your medical tourism trip is a success. That is why we offer extra benefits to make your trip as smooth and comfortable as possible.
24/7 availability: Our team is ready to support you day and night.
Multilingual staff: Our multilingual team strives to communicate in your preferred language, so there are no misunderstandings and you feel fully supported throughout your journey.
Diverse air ambulance fleet: We have a diverse fleet of air ambulances, including airplanes and helicopters, to help us respond to your needs and provide flexible services.
Bed-to-bed service: We can arrange a ground ambulance for hassle-free transportation from your medical facility to the airport, ensuring you receive care and attention every step of the way.
Transparent pricing: We believe in open and direct pricing, so you know exactly what to expect, no hidden or unexpected costs.
Sea-level flights: Our air ambulances can fly at sea level to reduce the risk linked to differences in atmospheric pressure during the flight.
Specialist: Our medical staff can be supported by specialist doctors, allowing us to address your individual medical needs and provide you with the highest level of care.
Contact us!
If you're considering medical tourism but feel overwhelmed by the process, we're here to help. Our experienced team will do their best to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
Our contact form
