Tango Your Way to Health and Beauty in Argentina

Argentina has become one of the most popular destinations around the world in the field of medical tourism. Buenos Aires is known not only for her beautiful theaters and art galleries, conference centers and museums, but as the ultimate destination for world travelers for relaxation. However, it’s also gained an excellent reputation for world-class healthcare, hospitals, and clinics in the world.

What Does Argentina Offer?
Facilities in Buenos Aires offer Americans and other world travelers a multitude of surgical treatments that include dental, cosmetic, gastric bypass, and plastic surgical procedures. Because of the strong conversion rate against the peso, traveling to Argentina to take advantage of their advanced healthcare system and highly skilled physicians and surgeons has become extremely popular. This goes for Americans flying south of the border as well as Asians and Europeans searching for the ultimate in medical tourism packages.

Medical tourism packages that cater to Americans and Europeans offer first-class medical treatments that are combine with the benefits of exotic tourism. Surgical procedures and treatments and Argentina caused 50 to 70% less than they do in the United States and throughout Europe. Such savings does not mean lack of quality, because surgeons in Argentina are world-class and board-certified. As a matter of fact, Argentina has some of the most technically advanced state-of-the-art equipment in the world.

Treatments Offered in Argentina
Treatments and services in plastic and reconstructive surgeries, fertility treatments, gastric bypass surgical procedures as well as dental care are available through affordable packages from medical tourism companies. One such company, GoSculptura, specializes in offering clients the best in medical care and opportunities to shop and sightsee. Taking advantage of the services that offer hotel accommodations, sightseeing expeditions, as well as medicals procedures in one easy-to-access package at more than reasonable costs.

Such packages include anesthesia services, operating room charges, and single to several night stays at local clinics, medications, surgeon’s fees, as well as pre-and postoperative consultations. The savings in cost alone has encouraged thousands of medical patients to travel to Argentina in growing numbers in recent years.

For example, a hospital in Argentina will charge $8,000 to $12,000 for a partial hip replacement. In the United States, the same surgical procedure will cost $16,000-$24,000.  In addition, Argentina is very well known for offering low-cost cosmetic surgeries for cosmetic procedures such as nose jobs, breast reconstruction, reduction and augmentation.

Finding the Right Surgeon for You
Medical tourists traveling to Argentina for any treatments or surgical procedures should make sure that their physicians are board-certified. Many international physicians and surgeons offering services in Argentina are members of American and International Medical Societies. Check with local and international medical governing boards for information on researching credentials.

Hospitals in major cities in Argentina, and most especially, Buenos Aires, also offer multiple types of surgical procedures that range from ultrasonic liposuction to gastric bypass to hip replacement surgical procedures. These procedures may often be offered at a 10th of what are charged by physicians and hospitals in the United States.

Benefits of Surgical Procedures Obtained in Argentina
Patients looking for lower-cost treatments in foreign hospitals may take advantage of lower overall cost in traveling to another country for surgical procedures rather than obtaining such services in the United States and Europe. In addition to saving money on the actual medical procedure, medical tourists may also benefit from sightseeing opportunities.

Imagine strolling the Bella Époque, or indulge in an Aqua Luna spa treatment at the Aqua Vita Medical Spa in Recoleta. Dance the tango at the El Querando in San Telmo, or enjoy a night of clubbing in Opera Bay. If relaxation and recuperation is what you’re looking for, take a walk and visit historic buildings along the Puerto Madero waterfront.

No matter where you decide to go or how you decide to spend your time in Buenos Aires, tourists may recuperate in exotic locations, and are assured of quality medical care, all at the same time.

Medical tourism is literally changing the face of the healthcare system worldwide. Information and advanced, state of the art medical procedure technology offer consumers a large number of benefits when traveling abroad for medical services.

Choose the best healthcare options for your needs. PlacidWay is the ultimate resource for choosing adequate medical treatment choices, travel and accommodation packages and medical centers around the world.

To  learn more about health tourism in Argentina – please visit www.placidway.com 

PlacidWay Presents World Wide Health Taiwan 2008

The medical travel industry has been sprouting the interest of healthcare providers ever so rapidly that some are classified as “swimmer who jumps into a pool without really checking out the temperature of the water”. What healthcare providers have to realize is that if they wish to be a part of the borderless endeavor, they have to prioritize on a globally acceptable structure to be pursued by those who desire to be a part of this new trend.  

To facilitate building a strong foundation, PlacidWay has teamed with World Wide Health Taiwan 2008 (WWH08).  The WWH08 forum will explore the challenges facing medical travel that impedes quality healthcare delivery as well as constructing strategies to counter these issues.  Subject matter experts will present a framework that would withstand the evolving storms and uphold the integrity of a healthcare provider. 

The WWH08 forum is designed for senior healthcare executives, superintendents, and business development officers from private and public hospitals, healthcare organizations, travel industry, as well as investors and financial institutions.  The conference aims to provide the Taiwan medical travel industry with a neutral platform to discuss with global industry experts existing issues while discovering what it takes to be recognized as a credible medical travel destination. 

Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the vast opportunities in Taiwan as the Taiwan Task Force of Medical Travel open their doors to welcome you. Join us on the 28^th – 29^th of May in Taipei, Taiwan and we will provide you with the professional insights and solutions to strive for excellence in medical travel.  

To request additional information about the event please contact WWH08.

Stem Cell Therapy: New Hope for the Failing Heart – by Permyos Ruengsakulrach & Kitipan Visudharom / Bangkok Hospital

Stem cells are undifferentiated or partially differentiated cells.  Therefore they are capable of dividing, renewing themselves and also giving rise to specialized cell types, a phenomenon known as plasticity or transdifferentiation. Stem cells can be obtained from many sources such as embryo, fetal, umbilical cord blood, bone marrow or peripheral blood. The adult stem cells are the stem cells found in the mature tissue. Some scientists use the term “somatic stem cell” instead of adult stem cell. Most fetal and adult stem cells are considered to be multipotent and therefore capable of producing a small range of differentiated cell lineages appropriate to their location. Some adult stem cells or progenitor cells with the least differentiation potential such as skeletal myoblasts, angiogenic precursor cells (APCs) or epidermal stem cells in the basal layer of the skin are designated as unipotent.

The Bangkok Heart Hospital is now treating the patients with heart failure and patients with damaged heart muscle from blockage of the coronary artery using angiogenic precursor cells produced from the patient’s own peripheral blood. The treatment is in collaboration with Theravitae Ltd. and the University of Pittsburgh. The patient will have his/her medical history and physical examinations taken as usual. A number of blood tests will be screened for the blood concentration, infection (e.g. hepatitis, HIV, bacteremia) and general health (e.g. liver and kidney function). The Six-Minute method will be used used to assess the physical status of the patient before and after surgery. In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging of the heart will be used to assess the heart muscle viability. If the patients are eligible for the therapy, a 250 cc of autologous blood will be collected from the patients and it will be then sent to the laboratory for cell selection and expansion. These processes take about 1 week. Then the final cell product will be sent back to the Bangkok Heart Hospital for the administration.

The cardiac surgeon will make a small incision at the left side of the chest wall. The thoracoscopic camera will be placed though a small hole into the thoracic cavity to assist with the procedure. Basically the cells will be injected directly into the cardiac muscle where the damaged heart muscle is located by the magnetic resonance imaging of the heart.

What are the results of the treatment?

Up to date, the cell therapy from various kinds of cell origins and from various types of administrations demonstrates that this cell therapy is feasible and improves the function of the damaged heart muscle. These APCs are capable of generating new vessels and perhaps new heart muscles. This new area in medicine and rapid evolving field is in need of more comprehensive research.

Please click here to request additional information from Bangkok Heart Hospital.

The Trend in Medical Tourism for Expats

Overview
The growing trend of Indians, Malaysians, and Asians returning to their home countries for medical procedures and treatments is growing. This trend also incorporates Latino, Thai, and European émigré’s. Of course, competitive rates, state-of-the-art facilities, and highly qualified professionals are responsible for more Expats than ever before returning to their homelands for medical treatments and procedures.

Worldwide Medical Market
The reasons many émigrés are returning to their homeland countries for treatments and medical procedures are because they cost less. In addition, wait periods for visits and treatments is often less than that found in the United States. Of course, the opportunity to visit family and friends is also a decision for many returning to their homelands.

The concept of medical tourism is not new. The ancient Greeks and Romans often traveled throughout the Mediterranean to participate in rituals and healing practices on a yearly basis. In the 1700s, Europeans from France, Britain, Ireland, and Italy traveled to spas in Germany as well as made tracks to the Egyptian Nile River for the benefits of hot mineral water baths and rituals.

Today, India is a popular destination for medical tourism and outsourcing of medical procedures. Non-Resident Indians or NRIs (Indians living abroad) are increasingly returning to their homeland for such procedures, and save money on flight, hotel, and postoperative vacation while visiting friends and family. India attracts patients and expatriates from around Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Canada.

The same applies for Latinos living in the United States returning to their South American countries of origin, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Venezuela.  Accessible, cross-border tourist destinations north and south of the border allows Latino citizens and residents living within the United States the option to travel to such destinations to receive qualified, exceptional, as well as competitive medical rates in their native homelands. Combining medical visits with family reunions and get-togethers is growing in popularity and allows everyone to take care of medical needs and family obligations at the same time.

What You Get
Finding adequate health care providers and coverage is growing increasingly competitive in the United States. Outsourcing medical care and procedures is the result of high medical insurance costs and procedures throughout the United States and Britain. The major cause of such high rates is due to excessive medical malpractice insurance that most American physicians are forced to obtain to protect themselves and their medical practices. More naturalized Americans are realizing that healthcare options in their native countries will enable them to receive superlative health care while at the same time enjoying the comfort and familiarity of their surroundings. Support from extended family and friends will help to facilitate the recovery process and save thousands of dollars in hospital costs, because many of those people will stay with loved ones during their recuperation.

Global competition attracts Indian, Latino, and Asian natives back to their home countries for treatments, but is also drawing thousands of American citizens and residents to their countries for treatments as well.

Medical tourism companies also offer many Expats vacation aspects that include post-recovery restorative or hotel stays in attractive resort-like locations or staying home with their friends and family. Private hospitals in Malaysia, India, Singapore, Argentina and Costa Rica offer such amenities and services for those recovering from surgical procedures and treatments.

Expats often feel more comfortable returning to their homelands for medical treatments and procedures, not only due to the cost benefits, but also because the types of procedures available overseas are more familiar to their culture and belief systems.

While many new treatments are becoming more accepted in the United States, other treatments and procedures such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and natural alternative treatments are understood and accessible internationally by Expats and their families.

Crossing Borders for Treatment
Latinos often return to Mexico and Latin America for cheaper though exceptional dental care, low-cost prescription drugs, and physician services. Prices for procedures in Mexico are generally 40% lower than those performed in the United States.

South American expatriates are returning to Venezuela, Argentina, Costa Rica and Brazil for high quality dental work as well as cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures that save tens of thousands of dollars in fees and services.

Asian expatriates are returning to Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and India because orthopedic and cardiac procedures and treatments are more affordable than anything they can find in the United States.

The Bottom Line
For the price of an airline ticket, hotel accommodations and a return to their home country, more expatriates than ever before are opting for medical procedures and treatments in their native countries. In many cases, the overall cost of everything (air fare, accommodations and health care) included for internationally based medical procedures and treatments are still less than half the cost of a traditional hospital stay within the United States.

It’s no wonder that many Expats émigrés and Americans are seeking treatment for illnesses or injuries out of the country for their needs.

For more information go to PlacidWay.com

Shoulder Resurfacing Performed on S African Woman – UNI

Chennai, Mar 6: A team of doctors at a private specialty hospital in the city has for the first time in Tamil Nadu, performed shoulder resurfacing procedure on an elderly South African woman using the famous Copeland prosthesis of the UK.

Talking to reporters here yesterday, Bharathi Rajaa Speciality Hospital Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon Dr A K Venkatachalam, who headed the team, said the procedure was done on the right shoulder of 62-year-old Saleha Khatum, who had been suffering from osteo arthritis for the last four or five years.

”Both her shoulders were damaged by repeated injections of hydrocortisone, a steroid, which has caused damage to the bone joints,” he said.

After going through the medical records, the resurfacing surgery was recommended as it preserved the bone. The team of doctors chose the popular Copeland prosthesis, made of cobalt chrome molybdenum and coated with Hydroxyapatite, which helped in natural bone growth.

This was the only surface replacement that had the longest follow-up of nearly 10 to 15 years.

The surgery lasting nearly an hour was performed on February 27.

It was done through a minimally invasive approach under general anaesthesia by making a small incision of about five to six cm at the top end of the arm bone (humerus).

Explaining the procedure, Dr Venkatachalam said a central hole was drilled and the humerus was shaped by cheese grating reamers. Then the prosthesis was impacted in.

”It costs just Rs 1.4 lakh, including the cost of prosthesis which comes to around Rs 45,000, and requires just 10 days of hospital stay,” he said and added this was the safe option for young patients as this cementless implant utilised a patient’s natural tissue growth.

Ms Khatum, who was also present, said several hospitals back home recommended shoulder replacement as a corrective option, but she could not opt for it as it was expensive. It cost about 100,000 rands (about Rs five lakh).

”After surfing the internet, I came to know of the Bharathi Rajaa Speciality Hospital and Dr Venkatachalam and chose to come here.

”I am greatly relieved. There is absolutely no pain. I will be discharged in the next two days and I will come back after some time for the same procedure to my left shoulder,” she added.

— UNI

Please click here to request additional information from Dr. Venkatachalam.

Passports for Global Health Care

Cross-Border Medical Tourism
Cross-border medical tourism has become increasingly popular within the United States in the past few years.  The trend for regional travel for elective surgeries and procedures has shown a definite increase in not only the Americas, but in Western Europe, Australia and throughout Asia. As a matter of fact, over 500,000 Americans travel out of the country every year, not only to Mexico and South America, but also to various destinations in order to procure affordable, quality health care for critical care and medical procedures as well.

What It Is?
Cross-border medical tourism is a term that defines crossing another country’s borders to obtain medical treatment. In various regions throughout the world, growing numbers of natives are not only packing their bags for a vacation, but also to undergo medical procedures at the same time. The fact that such medical services in other countries can cost 10 to 90% less than it does in the United States is a mitigating factor for this influx of medical tourists.

Medical practitioners and associations within the United States are perfectly aware of this growing trend. Indeed, many health carriers and insurance companies are now offering out of country procedure coverage.

Everything from cosmetic surgery to dental needs, to hip replacement surgeries are available in countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Malaysia, Hungary and Thailand. Many of the facilities found in those countries are regulated and accredited by medical Association accrediting boards in the United States.

Why It’s Happening?
The rising cost of health care, insurance, and demand has forced many natives to seek help across borders. As such, more and more Americans are traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Costa Rica for cosmetic and dental procedures. Natives from Australia and New Zealand travel to Singapore and Thailand to save on orthopedic and dental procedures as well. Even Western Europeans from England, France and Germany are traveling to Hungary and Poland for premium vision and dental care procedures, as well as the most common elective surgical procedures like cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Why this growing trend in cross-border medical travel? Most often, it’s finances.

The attraction of saving money is what propels most medical travelers to cross borders or travel across the ocean when seeking treatments. For example:
• One quarter of uninsured citizens will travel abroad for medical care if savings of $1,000 to $2,500 can be realized.  Medical tourist tends to travel regionally to seek such savings.
• Nearly 40% of uninsured citizens will travel abroad for care if those savings amounted to $10,000 or more.  Medical Tourist will travel beyond regional boundaries for best healthcare options and prices.

Wouldn’t you?

International Medical Facilities and Standards
State-of-the-art facilities, high standards in training and expertise, as well as Board certification from United States providers sets many at ease.  Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism surgical procedures include Mexico, Thailand, Singapore and India.

Medical technology as well as quality and standards of care in most countries around the world are on a level with those expected and demanded within the United States. The International Division of the Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals and facilities within the United States, also accredits facilities internationally. Many physicians who practice in European and Asian hospitals and medical centers have been trained and board-certified within the United States.

Comparison Shopping
The cost of procedures around the world drastically differs.  For example, bypass surgery in the United States can cost up to $35,000. The same procedure provided in India costs $6,000.

Transplant procedures in the United States and Britain can cost up to $200,000.

Types of Procedures Available
Mexico is a popular destination for cosmetic surgeries and dental care as well as lower pharmaceuticals costs. Uninsured Americans, as well as those who are willing to pay in cash find it hard to turn away from deals with our southern neighbor. Many United States-based hospital corporations own medical hospitals not only in Mexico City, but along the United States border, as well in South American destinations such as Panama, Costa Rica and Argentina.

Cosmetic surgery as well as plastic surgery is a reason why many Americans travel regionally to Argentina, Brazil, and Columbia. As a matter of fact, Argentina and Brazil are known for advanced treatments in these areas.

One of the most popular procedures that draws Americans to other countries, especially India and Thailand, are orthopedic procedures such as partial hip and knee replacement surgical treatments. Hospitals in Asian countries generally charge half the price of the same surgical procedures in the United States and many countries in Europe.

Cardiac surgeries such as heart valve replacement and bypass procedures cost Americans well over $200,000. It is not difficult to wonder why a cardiac patient would be interested in traveling to India or Singapore, where the same procedure costs about $10,000.

Critical Impact
The growing trend in global healthcare is certain to bring about changes within the American healthcare system, but Americans are not holding their breath in the hope for a rapid change. It will take years to revamp the medical coverage and health insurance system in the United States, as well as tackling current malpractice insurance necessities.

However, as long as the cost of medical care in the United States continues to rise, more people will be traveling internationally to receive quality health care.

For additional information, please visit www.placidway.com