Interesting article - India draws 'medical tourists'

[Martin_W_Riley]

Not sure one could consider this a new advancement but I tought it was news worthy and hope you do too...

This was an article I found on msnbc
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6293825/

>>>>>Excerp>>>>>
India draws 'medical tourists'
Cheaper health care a powerful attraction

John Lancaster / The Washington Post
Howard Staab, shown here with his partner Maggi Grace, traveled to India to undergo surgery to corret a faulty heart valve.
By John Lancaster

Updated: 1:51 a.m. ET Oct. 21, 2004NEW DELHI - Three months ago, Howard Staab learned that he suffered from a life-threatening heart condition and would have to undergo surgery at a cost of up to $200,000 -- an impossible sum for the 53-year-old carpenter from Durham, N.C., who has no health insurance.

So he outsourced the job to India.

Taking his cue from cost-cutting U.S. businesses, Staab last month flew about 7,500 miles to the Indian capital, where doctors at the Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre -- a sleek aluminum-colored building across the street from a bicycle-rickshaw stand -- replaced his balky heart valve with one harvested from a pig. Total bill: about $10,000, including roundtrip airfare and a planned side trip to the Taj Mahal.

"The Indian doctors, they did such a fine job here, and took care of us so well," said Staab, a gentle, pony-tailed bicycling enthusiast who was accompanied to India by his partner, Maggi Grace. "I would do it again."

 

[Debrinha GT]

That's just amazing!

That's just amazing!

Hi Martin, what an interesting article that was! I'm from Brazil and we also have great doctors here. I was first operated by the famous Dr. Zerbini who was the second surgeon in the world to perform a heart transplant with success. I myself was a miracle case at the time and the first child to survive a mitral valve replacement in 1975. I will need a fourth surgery within the next couple of years which will be done by the same surgeon who did the last one, Dr. Francisco Diniz Costa who is also great! It is true that most people from Europe or America get this impression that health care must be of poor quality in developing countries, and yes, we do have bad doctors too, but I'm living proof of how our skilled doctors do know how to do a very good job too. Of course, there isn't all that fussing such as the internet in the room and all that stuff unless you're willing to pay up, but I feel quite safe here! Anyway, thanks for sharing this information with us. It's always good to be aware of what goes on in other countries.
Débora from Brazil

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

And What Made ME So Mad. . . .

And What Made ME So Mad. . . .

was that if he had insurance, it wouldn't have cost $200,000.00. But the insurance companies negotiate their "usual and customary" fees for stuff, so if you have insurance you pay less. This poor guy was being quoted an emormously high fee for the surgery because the hospital didn't have to bill him the 'usual and customary"

 

[Englander]

In 1995 my father underwent a multiple bypass in Bombay.he was operated on by a very famous surgeon there call Dr. Panday. My dad had his Aotal almost fully clogged, femaral arteries were almost close and the arteries before his knees were fully clooged. He had had check ups in Englan ,Kenya and Sweden and all places had saud that his legs will have to be amputated. At that time i was about to start college in India and he was going to come with me to see me settle. He took the opportunity to have himself checked and this Surgeon had the solution. My dad did not have to be amputated and he had a healthy life after wards. I was really amazed at the technology and skill in India. This hospital was right accross the road from one of the largest Slums in Bombay.

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Englander:

How wonderful for your Dad and your family. Maybe when the time comes for me, I'll plan a "vacation" to Bombay. Wonder if my Blue Cross insurance will pay? They'd be saving a ton of money to pay for my surgery there instead of in the states.

 

[Englander]

Peggy,It will definately be warmer than Alaska all year round