More Canadians ready to move abroad for medical treatment

Every year, nearly 2 percent of Canadians travel abroad for getting medical care and it is quite likely that the figures will move upwards in the years to come.

Willingness of Canadians to travel overseas increasing—Canadians are being backed by a growing industry to receive complicated medical treatments not currently offered in Canada.

Moreover, more and more Canadians are showing their readiness to go to overseas nations for seeking medical treatments.

This has been revealed by the recent findings of the survey undertaken by AngusReid this year. As per the survey, nearly 42 percent of Canadians expressed their willingness to move out of Canada for receiving medical treatment.

Brendan King, a resident of Campbell River, B.C. (British Columbia) sought help from a medical-tourism firm to book his trip to Costa Rica around two years ago. He was to get treatment for his MS(multiple Sclerosis) there since the treatment is not available in Canada. Apart from King, several other MS patients have gone overseas to get medical treatment in other nations.

Canadians must travel abroad for medical treatment—According to King, who sought treatment for his MS from Costa Rica, Canadians should not think twice while making a decision regarding traveling overseas for getting treatment. He said that the costs of medical treatment might be quite high, but still, Canadians must do it anyways.

Need for dialogue on optimum use of medical tourism—According to author of the report, Mark Fam, who is working with Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, Washington D.C., the report brings forth the need to make best use of the opportunity without risking the Canadian system. The value of international medical-tourism industry in the US is stated to be around $40 billion.

Meanwhile, the value of Canada medical tourism industry is not known yet, the report clarifies.

Role of Canada healthcare providers and decision markers emphasized--According to Dr. Jeff Turnball, president of Canadian Medical Association, there must not be any requirement for a private medical tourism industry. He, however, stressed on the vital need for required improvements in health care system of Canada.

Dr. Turnball said availability and timely access of medical treatments in Canada will enable Canadians get such treatments within the nation thus removing the need for traveling abroad.

King also highlighted on the role of the government in providing medical treatments for complicated ailments within Canada.