The practice of medical tourism
In recent years, medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular in the world. This phenomenon is not new to the world of health system: for example, in the mid-80’s of the twentieth century, some US residents began to travel to other countries for medical care. Among the countries that have committed such a trip, stood Thailand, China and India. This was due in particular to the fact that most insurance companies do not cover treatment of chronic diseases, and the cost of medical services in other countries are many times cheaper than in the US and Europe.
Developed public medical infrastructure- high level of professionalism
According to some experts, today Cyprus is among the countries with a huge potential for the development of medical tourism. Good prospects in this direction with regard to Cyprus, first of all, are due to the developed infrastructure of medical institutions, as well as a number of other competitive advantages. This region has already presented enough strong players, won their niche in the market of medical tourism: the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Slovenia and Turkey. However, Cyprus is able to offer a comprehensive service, which, no doubt, will attract consumers of medical services as visitors to the island.
It is known that in the last decade, especially in the crisis year of 2013, there was a significant increase in investment in the medical field. And along with the public health sector there is a significant amount of highly modern private hospitals and specialized medical centers, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and qualified personnel.
Among the main advantages of medical tourism in Cyprus are the following:
- widespread use of languages in hospitals, in addition to Greek, Russian and English;
- convenient geographical location of the island and unique, with preventive from a medical point of view, climatic conditions;
- highly qualified medical staff, trained, with medical practice in the UK and other European countries.
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economics show a significant activity in order to organize cooperation, both directly through the medical industry, and working with travel agencies involved in the organization of health and medical tours.
Competitive advantages and the environment
Experts believe that if Cyprus is going to have a privileged position in the international market of medical services, it is necessary to focus on the provision of services to patients, in particular of those countries where there are long waiting list for medical procedures (Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, North Africa, Near East). At the same time Cyprus is well known to tourists from the Arab countries (UAE, Syria, Lebanon), as well as from most Western European countries.
Today, health care in Cyprus for foreign nationals is provided with quality, not too expensive and operationally. An important competitive advantage for Russian-speaking patients is the presence of experts, speaking in Russian, many of whom have been trained in medical schools in the former Soviet Union or who are its former citizens.
In addition to the undoubted benefits of treatment in Cyprus, a low level of infection background is needed to be mentioned as well. and the good environment of the island. This is due to the unique climate, ensuring year-round good climate because of the conditions of antibacterial activity of the sun and especially the location of the island.
Treatment and resting with pleasure
Medical tourism in Cyprus is acquiring great popularity among the Russian-speaking population. People tend to combine business with pleasure, and the only opportunity to take care of their own health (among residents of large cities) is often the holiday period. Russian-speaking citizens are welcomed to Cyprus clinics because they are willing to pay for their health and are grateful consumers of medical services. At the same time, patients do not feel flawed and can combine a wonderful holiday in Cyprus as well with relatively inexpensive treatments (the level of medical services in Cyprus in line with European standards, and the price of the procedures is significantly lower than in Europe and the United States).
Areas of specialization
The most popular medical services in Cyprus currently are: aesthetic surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, trauma and orthopedic services procedures, the overall diagnosis of the state of the body, as well as reproductive technologies.
Characteristically, rather serious progress has been made in the Cyprus oncology center, which in the near future can compete with Israeli hospitals. In addition, the leading cancer centers in Israel have highlighted the good working conditions in Cyprus and some of them are planning to open their branches on the island in the near future.
The achievements of modern medicine and Cyprus’ international cooperations
Medical institutions in Cyprus use the most modern forms of work and innovative technologies in their practice. For example, in the medical center ”Patroclou Patroclos” experts carry out the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood of the newborn in a specialized bank that makes it possible, if necessary in the future to use stem cells to treat illnesses. At Evangelismos Hospital in Paphos the diagnostic center “Women’s Health” is involved in the treatment of infertility and vitro fertilization (IVF).
The American Institute of minimally invasive spine surgery has organized a specialized unit in Cyprus. The surgeons aim is not only to train their colleagues, but also to carry out spinal surgery in hospitals in Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia. In this case, patients from European countries and the United States are able to pay 50-65% less for the treatment than if they were treated in their own countries.
Since March 2014, the endocrinologist Kostas Grigoriou offers patients in Cyprus a course to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar using a unique product Dzhinura Prokumbens, which have highly effective features to protect the kidneys, liver, heart and help reduce high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides. In insulin-dependent patients, the use of Dzhinura often leads to a decrease in insulin dosage to 50% during a month.
Currently, Cyprus employs about 3,000 highly qualified doctors, of whom approximately 70% are operating in the private sector. These professionals were trained in medical centers and universities abroad, and are now working in hospitals with the latest equipment.
Conclusion
So, the combination of the sea and mountain climate, the good environment of the island, the availability of large medical clinics and highly qualified professionals, the modern equipment and innovative medical technologies, make Cyprus very promising, in terms of the development of medical tourism. For people who would like to combine holidays and medical treatments, Cyprus is ready to offer the following services:
- cosmetic and plastic surgery;
- cardiology;
- orthopedic and minimally invasive surgery;
- Reproductive Medicine and IVF;
- planned operations;
- wellness and preventive services;
- a wide selection of spa treatments;
- a variety of rehabilitation programs.
