Patients Beyond Borders

Rick Westhead of Toronto Star has coined a new definition of India: A land of masala and opportunity.

Several events in the recent weeks focused India’s rising status in Canada, and emphasised this status.

Stephen Harper’s visit to India - although inadequately covered by the Indian media - is a turning point. It’ll achieve two things for sure:

1. Trade ties between India and Canada that have remained moribund for the past several years will now jump-start into a different league.
2. The other – more certain – outcome will be Harper’s victory with a majority in the next elections if they’re forced within the next year or so.

The Gujaratis and the Sikhs of Canada will wholeheartedly support the Conservatives after Harper’s symbolic visits to the Swami Narayan and the Golden Temple.

Another event that focussed on India and its rising status in the medical field was the Indian Medical Tourism Destination (IMTD) 2009 conference and exhibition at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre last week.

I plan to write about the event separately.

Here, I want to write about an unusual book that I received at the IMTD: Patients Beyond Borders is “everybody’s guide to affordable world-class medical travel,” written by Josef Woodman.

Quite simply, I found the book amazing.

It claims to be “the most trusted guide to healthcare abroad,” and lists “the world’s best international hospitals and clinics,” explains “how to plan and budget your medical trip,” lists a “convenient hospital and treatment finder,” and suggests “10 must-ask questions for your in-country MD.”

The book claims, “last year, more than 180,000 Americans packed their bags and headed overseas for nearly every imaginable type of medical treatment: tummy tucks in Brazil, heart valve replacements in Thailand, hip resurfacing surgeries in India, addiction recovery in Antigua, fertility diagnosis and treatments in South Africa, thalassotherapy in Hungary, or restorative dentistry in Mexico. Currently, at least 28 countries on four continents cater to the international health traveler with more than a million patients visiting hospitals and clinics each year in countries other than their own.”

Browsing the book’s list of cities for types of typical treatments and costs, I checked information about Mumbai. And here’s what it lists:

Cardiovascular:

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: $8,800
Pacemaker (single-chambered): $6,500
Pacemaker (double-chambered): $9,000

Orthopaedic:

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing: $9,900
Joint Replacement:
Knee: $8,400
Hip: $9,500
Ankle: $7,100
Shoulder: $8,400

Cosmetic:

Breast Augmentation: $3,300-$5,300
Breast Lift/Reduction: $3,300-$5,050
Facelift: $5,700
Liposuction (stomach, hips and waist): $1,000-$2.650

Dental:

Porcelain Veneer: $420
Crown (all porcelain): $360
Inlays and Onlays: $600-$1,100
Implant (titanium with crown): $1,100

Vision:

Glaucoma: $1,050
LASIK (per eye): $810

Weight Loss:

LAP-BAND System: $6,600
Gastric Bypass: $7,200

Lots of interesting information about a sector whose time has come.

Image: http://blog.publishedandprofitable.com/wp-content/joe-woodman_one-five-color.jpg