Panama's Medical Tourism Spike.
(thepanamareport.com) So I'm eating at a touristy steak restaurant, the kind of place I wouldn't be caught dead in if it wasn't elected by my client as a meeting point, and the guy next to me is rambling on about his health or lack thereof. "You remember that kidney stone last year, Nancy?" he said while chewing on a t-bone. "That thing was so painful, must've been the size of a chesnut wouldn't ya say?"
While this stopped my dinner in its tracks, staring down at a pathetic pile of kidney beans on my plate, it also brought into perspective the potential for medical tourism in Panama. The primary benefit is the potential for big savings. If it's not you, it's your insurance company (even after airfare and accommodations) that is saving big time by ordering treatment in Panama. With airlines lowering rates, new hotels popping up left and right, and economic scenarios deteriorating at home, there's no better time to finally splurge for that medical vacation.
Here are several benefits of medical tourism in Panama and why the industry could grow, proportionally faster than traditional tourism.
Availability/Lack of wait: Forget the long waitlists you're used to at home. With its medical tourism industry flourishing, Panama practitioners are making special efforts to provide fast scheduling arrangements (sometimes with as little as a few days notice). While the general rule in Panama is that nothing happens fast, you can count on operation dates to be fixed and plan your flights accordingly.
Quality: Doctors here have excellent credentials and the hospitals themselves, specifically the JHU one, are first rate. If you're looking for really cheap stuff done, you can use one of the other hospitals which, while not renowned in their work, are totally acceptable. The majority of the renowned doctors here have been trained abroad, probably alongside the same guy who's now charging triple back in the States.
Options: Some countries ban certain elective procedures, whereas there oftentimes exist doctors in Panama who specialize in said methods. Plastic surgeries are very common here, so if your insurance isn't willing to pay, you're seeing huge savings by using someone in Panama (where the quality is actually-not that I've ever had any work done-really good).
Isolation factor: Let's face it. Letting people see your new nose or facelift is inevitable. But allowing people to see you before you're ready to unveil could be seriously damaging to your chi. Two main draws to medical tourism in Panama is a) you probably don't have any friends here so no one will notice you and b) even if you do know someone here, you can rent a house at the beach or in the mountains and retreat until you're ready to be seen again.
Language: While most of the medical tourism promotions in Panama will feature English-speaking staffers, getting work done here can be a great chance to learn medical terms in Spanish such as globulos rojos (red blood cells) and papanicolaou (pap smear). Just don't confuse them with the restaurant terminology you learned a day before.
Relaxation/Recovery: Panama's interior is ideal for post-ops with its secluded shores, great weather, inexpensive cost of living, and ease of access. Enjoy sublime afternoon sunsets (if your condition allows you to see) and listen to morning birds (if your condition allows you to hear). Hiring a full time aid is extremely reasonable as is a chef, chauffeur, or any other assistance you may need during recovery.
The choice to get medical work done in Panama is not 100% rosy, there are some drawbacks. The language barrier, while part of the fun, can be an issue at times, as can legal reprocussions (god forbid) should something go wrong. You may be away from your traditional support system of family and friends (or perhaps comfort factors such as your own bed) and in taking off from work, you'll need some additional time added in for travel.
That all being said, hospitality industries in Asia cite the daily spend of medical tourists as often double to triple that of normal travelers and regularly see this money "trickling down" more concisely considering a number of sectors other than medicine (such as labor, accommodations and transportation) are tapped during recovery periods. There are a number of establishments vying for this lucrative industry in Panama which means quality care should go up and costs should go down. It's a big decision, choosing to not only visit a foreign country but to have someone cut you up there, but according to experts and individual accounts, one that's definitely worth a shot.
