The Growth of Medical Tourism in Panama

News from Panama / Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
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Having recently completed major surgery here in Panama and meeting some of the top flight physicians that attended me, I can see why Panama is headed places and will capitalize on the growing trends in medical tourism.  This article just in from CentralAmericadata.com.

Globally, medical tourism spending has reached $ 60 billion and it is expected that in three years that figure should reach $ 100 billion.
In Central America, Panama is just beginning to participate with less than 1% of that market, where Costa Rica is one of the largest players at 16%.

Estimates by the secretary general of the National Department for Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama, Ruben Berrios, says Panama should be able to grow as a destination for medical tourism within 5 years and reach 12% of the global market.

Four medical centers, Hospital Punta Pacifica (HPP), Hospital Clinic San Fernando, Paitilla Medical Center and Hospital Nacional , have created an alliance to support, under the auspices of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), to promote the country as a service provider to “medical tourists”.