Medical Tourism in Cambodia; a Reality

Hanoi, Vietnam -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/13/2013 -- Medical tourism is of course not a new concept. For years tourists from developed countries have been jumping on planes and heading out to less well off countries in order to save money on medical procedures that cost many times more in their own countries. In some cases they simply spend the same amount of money but enjoy three or four weeks convalescing in a warm climate.
Australia has some of the most expensive dental treatment in the world and for years its citizens have poured into Thailand looking for high quality dental work at a fraction of the costs. Now Cambodia is joining in. An Australia resident in the city has formed a company specializing in Bringing Australians to the city for their dental work. Following an impromptu visit to Roomchang hospital for a root canal procedure, he was so impressed with the quality of care, that it got him thinking.
A root canal and a crown at the hospital will cost around $700 whereas the same work in Australia would be up to $3000. It is not as though the expertise is four times better, the practitioners in Phnom Penh are just as expert. Costs in the USA are comparable to Australia as they are in the UK. This is a big market.
So Mr Michael Howard, the Australian in question has set up a company called Kingdom and Crowns, they act as intermediary for potential customers. The first of their clients are due to start arriving in the city this winter. This is potentially an enormous market for the extension of Cambodia Tourism. In Thailand many thousands arrive each year, and Cambodian prices are, if anything, slightly cheaper.
Asian doctors and dental practitioners are among the finest in the world. Many have learned their craft in the very countries of the people they are now treating. Mr. Howard has already been joined by others keen, to develop medical tourism in Cambodia. It is hoped that this will develop in the next few years.
CEO of Asia Tour Advisor, the big hitters in Southeast Asian tourism welcomed the move, “For years Thaioland has dominated this market within the region. Some healthy competition from Cambodia is a welcome sign. People in the West were sceptical at first but news soon travels regarding the quality of care offered to patients. It is now widely accepted that cities like Bangkok and next hopefully, Phnom Penh, can provide the very highest duty of care for anyone travelling here. Recovery is certainly aided here.”
Roomchang Hospital currently has a foreign patient ratio of 40%. Approximately, 10% of their patients have traveled to Cambodia specifically for medical care. It is hoped and indeed expected, that that number will increase significantly.
A course of dental treatment of a period of a few years can save many thousands of dollars. People are beginning to realise that an Asian holiday every year, can become a reality at no extra cost to the family budget. In many cases facilities are accepted to be better than in Western countries.

Sourced: Cambodia News