Latest news with #MedicalTourism
SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
I went to Thailand to fix my teeth after an electric shock. It's left me much worse off
From cosmetic fixes to life-saving surgery, Insight hears from people who have turned to medical tourism. Is it always worth it, and what happens when things go wrong far from home? Watch Insight episode Medical Tourism on SBS On Demand . I put myself in dangerous situations as a boy growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne. When I was 10 years old, I was jumping between the tops of cattle trucks in a cattle yard where I slipped. Grabbing an overhead powerline to regain balance, I was shocked with 1500V DC that threw me to the ground — and left me with a broken jaw and brain trauma. The images of the other children in the hospital with facial burn injuries still traumatises me, four decades later. Sometimes the smell of certain barbecued meats makes me dry retch. When I was in my twenties, I was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident and suffered a head injury that caused movement in my jaw and led to my teeth grinding in a different position. You see beautiful people with beautiful smiles everywhere you turn in the media. Because I didn't have one, I always covered my mouth, even when I laughed. I spent the following years in and out of the dentist, having my teeth capped and repaired in Australia. But they never lasted. They were ground down to stubs and some had fallen out. After both my parents passed away and I got divorced in the four years between 2015 to 2019, I was at the lowest point of my depression and had put on 40kg. I felt isolated and didn't want anything to do with anyone. When I turned 50 in 2019, I met a partner and took charge of my health. I started going to the gym to get out of the house and gradually felt better. I was eating well, walked daily, was seeing a psychologist but was still very self-conscious about my teeth. I thought if I could fix my teeth, and if I could make the outside look good, maybe the inside will follow — and my problems would be fixed. 'A rash decision' I had managed to save a little money from my parents' inheritance and my work teaching disability advocacy. But I still couldn't afford the dental work I needed in Australia. I was on social media when an ad for medical dental tourism popped up. I clicked, sent some X-rays and photos, had a chat on WhatsApp and received a quote. I prepaid for surgery and the included accommodation and booked a flight to Bangkok. I haven't made such a rash decision since I was a young boy. It was daunting yet exciting as I had never been out of Australia. I am a homebody; I like my dog, my garden and the beach. Patrick's teeth. Source: Supplied I thought I looked a million dollars with the new temporary crowns the Thai dental team gave me during my first appointment. The second appointment of eight is where things took a turn for the worse. My face became swollen and I could barely lift my head. I slept all day on the painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Of course, it was major dental work, so it was going to hurt. However, one tooth hurt more than the rest — so much so I had a day off surgery due to the swelling. I told the team about my pain, and they said it would settle but I didn't feel they took it seriously. Someone from their administration then told me the cost of the overall surgery was going to be double what I initially paid, which brought the total to upwards of $20,000. As I couldn't leave with just half a mouth of teeth, I had to borrow the money from a friend back home. 'Something felt wrong' After two weeks, I felt stable enough to fly home. My new teeth looked great, but something felt wrong as I still had pain in that one tooth. I started to feel worse and over the next six months, I went on eight courses of antibiotics to try to fight an infection doctors couldn't identify the source of. This was until one day, the crown of the tooth that had given me pain just fell off. I went to a local dentist who discovered my gum was infected to the bone and into the sinus. He had to remove three teeth, a lot of my gum and part of my upper jawbone. I somewhat locked myself away from the world during this time as the pain was excruciating. The reason I had tried to fix my teeth was to feel more comfortable, be more social and boost my low self-esteem. It did the opposite. By the end of that year, I had retreated from everything — including my social circles and disability advocacy. I felt that all the progress I had made working on myself in the previous years was gone within the space of months. I went for the dentist that looked glitzy and glammy and probably didn't do my due diligence with research. Patrick earlier this year. Source: Supplied Today, nearly two years on, I am considering going back to Thailand for implants to replace the lost teeth. But with a different dentist, of course. I was a bit rash in my decision, but I am not against medical tourism. Why would I be? I was unlucky. I believe the same thing could happen in Australia. For crisis and mental health support, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), SANE Australia (1800 187 263) or 13Yarn (139 276), a 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Home Minister hails Immigration as ‘face of the nation' as Malaysian passport power ranks 8th globally
PUTRAJAYA, July 21 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has today praised the Immigration Department for its pivotal role in shaping the country's global reputation, calling it the 'face of the country' for investors, tourists, expatriates, and foreign workers. Speaking at the department's 103rd anniversary celebration, Saifuddin highlighted how every economic component from tourism to foreign investments is closely linked to immigration services. 'At 103 years old, let us share some pride in the Immigration department. The Malaysian passport is now ranked 8th globally according to the 2025 Passport Index,' he said during the opening ceremony in front of Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya here, referring to the Passport Power Rank. He explained that a strong passport ranking means greater international access, with Malaysians enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 170 countries. 'This is not just the result of legal frameworks, but reflects the efficiency of our Immigration Department in handling documentation and maintaining the country's reputation globally,' Saifuddin said. He added that this efficiency had also made Malaysia the top destination for medical tourism, with 1.2 million overseas patients recorded in 2024. Saifuddin said immigration success contributes directly to national growth, especially through a user-friendly and swift visa system. On tourism, he stressed that immigration officers serve as the frontliners who welcome visitors to Malaysia, especially critical as the country plays host to Asean this year. He also noted that in the past, Immigration was slow to adopt AI, but that has now changed. 'Besides having AI as a tool, we now have systems with flawless language capabilities both in English and Bahasa Malaysia. These tools are here to help. We can either embrace them or be left behind.' 'AI adoption must lead to improved productivity, faster service delivery, and better collections. These are key performance indicators for progress.' Saifuddin cited China's Alibaba as an example of AI's power, handling over 230,000 online transactions in a single second. He also revealed that the Human Resources Ministry has begun sending batches of officers to local universities to develop AI knowledge and capabilities. 'If we're behind the AI curve for three years, and we delay any longer, we'll fall 30 years behind. That's why I'm proud to be here today to support Immigration's reform journey as it embraces the AI era in line with this year's theme of 'AI Leads Immigration Reform',' he concluded.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Calls for urgent regulation of weight loss surgery tourism after 28 Britons die from medical complications in Turkey
Medical tourism for weight loss is rising in popularity, with around 5,000 Britons a year travelling overseas for cut-price surgery. But experts have warned the industry is putting patients' lives at risk and is in urgent need of regulation. Botched surgery can lead to infections 'leakage, sepsis, and even death,' a report by the BMJ highlights. At least 28 British people had died between 2019 and March 2024, due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey figures provided by the Foreign Office revealed. Weight loss surgery, sometimes called bariatric surgery, is a treatment for people who are severely obese. It makes the stomach smaller, so it feels fuller sooner and less food is eaten. Despite the rise in popularity of weight loss jabs, the medical tourism industry for weight loss surgery continues to grow. Medical tourism industry is worth more than $400 billion (£300 billion) annually, with anticipated year on year growth of 25 per cent. Patient's seeking weight loss surgery are often lured abroad by cut price deals and before and after weight loss images posted on social media. The out-of-pocket cost for this type of surgery done privately in the UK is around £10, 000 to £15,000, but costs approximately £2,500 to £4,500 in countries, such as Turkey. Dr Jessica McGirr of the Obesity Research and Care Group RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland and Imperial College London highlight that although cheaper often these packages do not cover care after the operation or long-term nutritional or psychological support that you would be offered in the UK. An inquest into 40-year-old Hayley Butler, a dog groomer from Norwich who died of organ failure after a sleeve gastrectomy at the Ozel Gozde Hospital in Izmir, revealed the surgery 'had not been done properly'. A doctor Tanveer Adil, who works at Luton & Dunstable Hospital, explained she died as a result of the procedure and the "lack of safety netting" afterwards. He added that he had dealt with more than 100 other patients suffering complications after undergoing similar procedures abroad. On the NHS it can take two or more years from referral for a patient to receive the surgery, plus there are specific requirements to meet. To be considered for surgery on the NHS, patients need to have a BMI of 40 or more, meaning they are obese. Patients will also need to have tried to lose weight through a healthy diet, exercise and medicine. Around 4 million people in the UK meet the criteria for surgery, but the NHS only deals with about 5,000 cases each year. The BMJ report highlights most patients (71 per cent) self-refer for surgery abroad, meaning the surgery may not appropriate for them. 'When considering adverse outcomes, including anastomotic [surgical tissue join in the gut] leakage, sepsis, and even death, equally concerning is the absence of regulation to ensure that only accredited procedures are performed by appropriately qualified providers,' study authors said. 'Further concern arises in the context of medical tourism 'packages' in which patients are offered multiple procedures within the same trip,' which are often accompanied by financial incentives, they added. A survey of weight loss surgery providers overseas found nearly a third of respondents believed the consent process was 'inappropriate', while 14 per cent believed that patients were personally responsible for surgical complications. 'The need to regulate the bariatric and metabolic tourism industry to mitigate these safety, ethical, and legal risks for patients is essential,' authors argued. In many cases the NHS is left to pick up the pieces of returning medical tourists after botched surgery. The current situation 'highlights the need for transnational collaboration among all sectors to implement regulation,' the authors explained, suggesting that bodies, such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation, and the European Union, among others, should be involved in a global forum designated with this task. The BMJ report concluded: 'This unregulated industry presents opportunity for quicker access to effective treatment for individuals with obesity but carries potential safety, ethical, and legal risks. 'The economy and healthcare resources of both home and destination countries may benefit financially from bariatric and metabolic tourism, but the potential for unintended negative consequences and widening health inequity are significant. 'Establishing regulation through transnational collaboration is essential to protect health and health equity.'
Independent Singapore
08-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Chinese tourists flock to Singapore as travel trends shift
Photo: Freepik/ lifeforstock (for illustration purposes only). SINGAPORE: Singapore continues to draw strong interest from Chinese travellers, ranking among their top overseas destinations, according to fresh data from Alipay. The digital payments giant has seen a surge in activity from Chinese users abroad, offering a window into how travel habits are evolving. Along with perennial favourites like Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Macao SAR, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia, Singapore remains a key stop for Chinese tourists. Further afield, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Canada also feature prominently on the list of most-visited countries. Rather than sticking to traditional group tours, many are opting for more personalised, local experiences. Spending patterns have also shifted, with more interest in local transportation, cultural activities, and niche experiences. Switzerland recorded the highest average spending per Alipay user, while in South Korea, the figure exceeded US$100 (around S$135), fuelled in part by a rise in medical tourism, especially for cosmetic treatments. Public transport is also gaining popularity among Chinese travellers. One of the most significant shifts highlighted in the report is the surge in spending on public transportation. Alipay reported a 53% year-on-year increase in transit-related transactions, reflecting a growing tendency among travellers to navigate destinations like locals. Public transport payments, especially in Hong Kong and Macao, have become the most frequently used Alipay service, with tourists increasingly taking subways and buses using the platform. Beyond East Asia, Chinese tourists are leveraging Alipay's features to navigate European countries as well, purchasing train tickets and using shared bicycles—particularly in Japan and across parts of Europe—via the app. Alipay's real-time tax refund service saw a noticeable jump in activity, as well, with a 33% increase in the average refund amount per transaction compared to last year. More travellers are also taking advantage of Alipay's instant discount offers, with uptake rising by a hefty 46% during the recent New Year's holiday period, indicating a more cost-conscious yet digitally savvy tourist demographic.
