By Jeffrey Barnes


Despite the fact that so many diseases have been conquered during the past few decades, many thousands of people still die from those very diseases each year. This may be because they do not have access to proper facilities or specialists, because there are very long waiting lists or because they cannot pay for the treatment. This situation has given birth an entire industry helping patients to seek treatment in foreign countries. To this end, custom made medical travel plans have to be designed.

Even in ancient times people traveled far to seek help from famous healers or to seek a cure at holy places reputed to have healing powers. In many cases these long trips became quests and travelers often had to endure hardship. Even in those times, however, ill people were willing to sacrifice and to suffer if only there is even the smallest chance that their lives can be saved or their diseases cured.

In modern times, traveling abroad for treatment has become a huge industry and some tourism operators specialize in designing special packages for this type of tourist. Desperately ill people will go to any length to get help if it is not readily available in their own countries. People facing death have only one priority and that is to do whatever is necessary to stay alive.

There are also many wealthy individuals that insist upon treatment by specialists and facilities in foreign countries. They want only the very best treatment and if that treatment is only available in another country, then they will go there when necessary and they are willing to pay very high fees. In some cases patients have to travel to a specific country in order to receive experimental treatment not yet generally available.

One would think that it is only the very rich that can afford to seek treatment in foreign countries. This is not the case. Patients from countries with very strong currencies can often not afford specialist treatment in their own countries while they can actually afford such treatment in other countries with weak currencies. There are many countries with excellent treatment facilities but that have weak currencies.

Some concerns have been voiced, however. Some critics say that foreign patients with deep pockets are willing to offer large fees to get preferential treatment. This is often to the detriment of other patients. These practices are unethical and unfair, feeding the greed of unscrupulous specialists, hospitals and clinics. Critics want the system to be regulated more rigorously.

The traveling plans for patients can be difficult to finalize. It is often impossible to say just how long the treatment will take, how many follow up visits will be necessary and whether there will be a rehabilitation period. This makes it difficult to arrange transport and accommodation. In addition, very ill people often need special care when traveling. It is therefore very important to use a highly experienced travel agent.

When people are facing death it is only too easy to understand why they would spend a lot of money and effort in seeking treatment. If there is even the slightest chance of a cure, they will pursue that chance. The will to survive is, after all, supreme.




About the Author:



Axact

Money Making

I am passionate about educating university students about money and careers, and have been doing so since 2007. I see the same confusion and mistakes being replicated every year. The way I help is through Save the Student. I'm always on the look out for new contributors, so get in touch if you're wanting to get involved! Aside from the site, my main interests are travelling, writing, photography, webdesign, sailing, football and cycling.

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