Despite the fact that so many diseases have been conquered during the past few decades, many thousands of people still die from those very diseases each year. This may be because they do not have access to proper facilities or specialists, because there are very long waiting lists or because they cannot pay for the treatment. This situation has given birth an entire industry helping patients to seek treatment in foreign countries. To this end, custom made medical travel plans have to be designed.
There is nothing new about the idea of traveling abroad to seek treatment. The concept is as old as mankind itself. In ancient times there were very few healers and some of them enjoyed an enviable reputation far beyond their own countries. People used to suffer great hardship on order to travel to these healers in the hope that their lives may be saved. Traveling to holy places with healing powers was also very popular.
Traveling for treatment purposes have become a sizable component within the tourism industry and many traveling agents specialize in designing itineraries for ill people and their loved ones. Very ill people with little hope of finding a cure in their own country will sacrifice a lot even if there is the smallest possible chance of finding help in a foreign country. It is an understandable sentiment.
There are also many wealthy individuals that insist upon treatment by specialists and facilities in foreign countries. They want only the very best treatment and if that treatment is only available in another country, then they will go there when necessary and they are willing to pay very high fees. In some cases patients have to travel to a specific country in order to receive experimental treatment not yet generally available.
It is not only the wealthy that travel abroad to seek treatment. Citizens of rich countries with strong currencies often find that a favorable exchange rate can help them to afford treatment in a foreign country with a weak currency. Countries such as South Africa, for example, boast many renowned specialists and facilities, but they have a very weak currency. Fundraising for treatment abroad has also become popular.
Some experts have warned that travelling to other countries for treatment raise a number of ethical questions. Critics say that many doctors and hospitals will give preference to foreign patients because they can pay more. This preferential treatment can easily be to the detriment of local patients that are dependent upon public health systems. Critics also say that the system is not properly regulated.
The traveling plans for patients can be difficult to finalize. It is often impossible to say just how long the treatment will take, how many follow up visits will be necessary and whether there will be a rehabilitation period. This makes it difficult to arrange transport and accommodation. In addition, very ill people often need special care when traveling. It is therefore very important to use a highly experienced travel agent.
The first priority of the health authorities in any country is to make sure that its own citizens have access to quality care. If foreigners seek treatment, they must be treated as just another patient, albeit one that pays more. However, it would be inhumane to deny treatment to any desperately ill person.
There is nothing new about the idea of traveling abroad to seek treatment. The concept is as old as mankind itself. In ancient times there were very few healers and some of them enjoyed an enviable reputation far beyond their own countries. People used to suffer great hardship on order to travel to these healers in the hope that their lives may be saved. Traveling to holy places with healing powers was also very popular.
Traveling for treatment purposes have become a sizable component within the tourism industry and many traveling agents specialize in designing itineraries for ill people and their loved ones. Very ill people with little hope of finding a cure in their own country will sacrifice a lot even if there is the smallest possible chance of finding help in a foreign country. It is an understandable sentiment.
There are also many wealthy individuals that insist upon treatment by specialists and facilities in foreign countries. They want only the very best treatment and if that treatment is only available in another country, then they will go there when necessary and they are willing to pay very high fees. In some cases patients have to travel to a specific country in order to receive experimental treatment not yet generally available.
It is not only the wealthy that travel abroad to seek treatment. Citizens of rich countries with strong currencies often find that a favorable exchange rate can help them to afford treatment in a foreign country with a weak currency. Countries such as South Africa, for example, boast many renowned specialists and facilities, but they have a very weak currency. Fundraising for treatment abroad has also become popular.
Some experts have warned that travelling to other countries for treatment raise a number of ethical questions. Critics say that many doctors and hospitals will give preference to foreign patients because they can pay more. This preferential treatment can easily be to the detriment of local patients that are dependent upon public health systems. Critics also say that the system is not properly regulated.
The traveling plans for patients can be difficult to finalize. It is often impossible to say just how long the treatment will take, how many follow up visits will be necessary and whether there will be a rehabilitation period. This makes it difficult to arrange transport and accommodation. In addition, very ill people often need special care when traveling. It is therefore very important to use a highly experienced travel agent.
The first priority of the health authorities in any country is to make sure that its own citizens have access to quality care. If foreigners seek treatment, they must be treated as just another patient, albeit one that pays more. However, it would be inhumane to deny treatment to any desperately ill person.
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