Medical tourism in the Middle East

Daniel Christopher Jones

Medical tourism is of one the fastest growing industries in the world, an issue that has recently shot into the public eye as the United States' healthcare system goes into reform after so many American citizens have been forced to look overseas for more affordable healthcare.

But medical tourism in the Middle East has so far been far from many people's first choice. This looks set to change as several countries look to push their case to become major players in the global medical tourism market.

Israel

An increasing number of people are travelling to Israel every year for cost-effective medical treatment. A popular choice for many holiday-makers, these tourists are now sticking around to take advantage of the country's cheap medical care.

Israel has a number of leading medical institutions as well as a professional medical infrastructure, attracting patients from neighboring Middle Eastern countries where healthcare may not be up to the same standards. High technology and medical equipment in the larger cities means most medical procedures can be carried out, making traveling to Israel a convenient option for some, as reported by Discovermedicaltourism.com.

Popular treatments sought include heart surgery and knee and hip replacements as well as less serious procedures including dental work and cosmetic surgery. Additionally, leading institutions such as Tel Aviv Medical Center offer everything from neurosurgery to organ transplants.

Jordan

The Kingdom of Jordan is also in the midst of a nationwide push to become a competitor in the growing medical tourism industry. It's easily the most tourist-friendly country in the region, making it plausible that the country can become a big player in medical tourism in the Middle East.

In 2004, the ministry of health launched an agenda that hopes to see a billion dollars in annual revenue by 2010. Jordan hopes to be the premier medical tourism destination in all of the Middle East by the end of the current decade.

A total of 56 hospitals in Jordan are involved in the push for medical tourist dollars, with both private investors and government sectors investing into the expansion and further development of these existing facilities as well as in providing world-class training for Jordanian doctors.

Medical tourism in the Middle East looks set to grow rapidly, with Israel and Jordan in particular being at the very forefront of the regions venture into the market.

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