Mental Health Presenting Issues Essay

It may seem at first that Medical Tourism is doing the world a favour by clearing the backlogged waiting lists for certain procedures without having to expand the local capacity that is in demand. (1). It is also proposed by supporters of Medical tourism that by bringing tourists into the country, not only the health sector, but other sectors, like the tourism and hospitality sectors will also benefit and through this flow on effect the people of the host country will benefit. For example India’s health care market is expected to expand from 5.2%GDP to 8.5% GDP by the end of 2012 because of Medical tourism. (2) This is taking a superficial look at the problem. It also effects on the health care of people of the host country, the standard of care received by the patient and effects on the workforce itself. While countries like India, Thailand and Singapore may seem to benefit overall, it has been argued that the extra funding the health care system is receiving from medical tou rism does not get diverted to help the public health sector -with levels of public spending on healthcare in India are amongst the lowest in the world (3). The local people should receive some of this profit that the health industry itself is receiving as many are unable to afford comparative health care. There is also the question of the effect on the workforce. There are fears that medical tourism could worsen the drain of local professionals by luring them from the public sector and rural areas to take jobs in urban centres. (2) The medical tourism facilities offer not only a better rate of pay, but also access to good equipment, resources and medications. Finally there is the cost on the individual receiving the care. Presently, there are a lack of comparative quality and safety data including infection rates for overseas institutions. There is also little information about adverse events as reporting of these events is also lacking. Many of the practitioners in these health care facilities pay less indemnity insurance and matters are dealt with locally. It is hard to know what compensations would be made, were something to go wrong during a procedure. – In nations that have long waiting lists for certain procedures, medical tourism provides a mechanism to clear backlogs by sending patients to foreign countries without expanding local capacity. Lancaster J. Surgeries, side trips for medical tourists. p. A1. Washington Post. October 21, 2004. – this reduces the burden on the local healthcare resources of the native country. – this is reinforced by Insurance companies have jumped on the medical tourism ride by offering reduced rates to those who are willing to travel overseas for medical treatment, further encouraging the medical tourism market. – It is proposed by supporters of Medical tourism that by bringing tourists into the country, other sectors, like the tourism and hospitality sectors will also benefit and through this flow on effect the people of the host country will benefit. – For example India’s health care market is expected to expand from 5.2%GDP to 8.5% GDP by the end of 2012 b ecause of Medical tourism. Medical visas mark growth of Indian medical tourism. Bull World Health Organ. 2007 – while countries may seem to benefit overall, it has been argued that the extra funding the health care system is receiving from medical tourism does not get diverted to help the public health sector. Levels of public spending on healthcare in India are amongst the lowest in the world. Health Spending in India, the impact of current Aid structures and Aid Effectiveness. EU HEALTH ODA AND AID EFFECTIVENESS / COUNTRY BRIEFING 6 / DECEMBER 2011(sourced at http://www.euroresources.org/fileadmin/user_upload/AfGH_Policy_Briefs/PolicyBriefing6_India_LoRes.pdf) – according to the WHO in 2010, in India 71% of total health expenditure was spent on private health – public health spending compared to private. The private costs are too high for the average Indian so they can’t directly benefit, if an – effect on public health workforce, There are fears, however, that medical tourism could worsen the internal brain drain and lure professionals from the public sector and rural areas to take jobs in urban centres. Medical visas mark growth of Indian medical tourism. Bull World Health Organ. 2007 – The question has arisen regarding the safety and quality of health care reicieved whilst overseas. – also who manages complications which may arise after treatment that was received overseas. Who should be responsible for that? – When medical treatment is sought from abroad, the normal continuum of care may be interrupted. Perhaps not surprisingly, given commercial imperatives, evidence of outcomes for medical tourist treatments is limited and reports are difficult to obtain and verify.