Plastic Surgery Chin Tilt

Medical tourism is a growing industry in South Africa, so much so, that there was a need to create a Medical Tourism Association to ensure that that companies which facilitate medical tours in the country comply with all necessary rules and regulations. The association also ensures that uniform medical standards are met, and that no false promises are made to foreign investors. Currently, the medical tourism industry is worth about R270 million annually, but as South Africa remains a popular medical tourism destination, that figure looks set to rise.

Traditionally, Europeans, and especially visitors from the UK, have favoured South Africa as a medical tourism destination, although recently the country has seen an increase in the number of patients/tourists from the USA. Not all medical tourists are from wealthy countries, however, as a vast majority come from other African countries where certain medical procedures aren't available or where the costs and risks are too high.

Medical tourists come to South Africa for a number of reasons: the quality of medical care is high; the private hospitals can be particularly luxurious; post-surgery care is second to none; procedures are affordable, especially with current exchange rates; and there are no long waiting lists. Additionally, South Africa is a beautiful country and many medical tourists elect to spend their recuperation time relaxing on sunny beaches or enjoying the wildlife at the many game parks. In fact, the term "medical safari" has been coined to refer to medical travel packages to South Africa.

Available procedures include face lifts, tummy tucks, breast reductions, an array of dental work and orthopaedic procedures such as knee and hip replacements.

There are a number of companies in South Africa that cater specifically to the medical tourism industry. They arrange the medical procedures on behalf of their clients, as well as any necessary after care, and also take care of the tourist side of things by arranging activities and booking favourable destinations. It's not unusual to see safari vehicles looking like mini-casualty wards with all of the bandaged faces and noses and legs in casts. Many medical tourists who have had major surgery elect to recuperate in relaxing environments such as spas and wine estates, and when they are sufficiently recovered to withstand travel over rough and uneven terrain, they round off their trip with a safari. Not many pass up the opportunity to see South Africa's famed wildlife in the flesh.

South Africa is not the only country that medical tourists visit; other popular destinations include India, Mexico, Costa Rica, Turkey and Thailand. But as long as South Africa keeps offering comprehensive packages with quality medical services, after care and recuperation time, it will remain a medical tourist favourite.

Recommended sites:

http://www.travelwires.com/wp/?p=1938

http://medicaltourismguide.org/southafrica/

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Outlook SGE specialists in South African safaris one of the most successful companies organising safaris, catering especially to smaller groups.