Two islands, one off Africa and the other off America, have differing fortunes in medical tourism.
Mauritius expects the number of foreign patients seeking medical care on the Indian Ocean island nation to increase from 12,000 in 2010, by 36 % to 15,000 in 2011, according to the Board of Investment. It also says that Mauritius has set itself a target of attracting 100,000 foreign patients by 2020, and to contribute $1 billion annually to the economy. The main source of patients in 2010 was Madagascar with 28 %, followed by Seychelles, Reunion, France and South Africa. Foreign patients being treated in Mauritius were 1,000 in 2005.
Mauritius is on its way to becoming a healthcare, wellness and medical outsourcing destination. The number of privately owned clinics and hospitals increased by more than 50% in the last three years. Mauritius wants to attract overseas investment for the setting up of multi-speciality hospitals, cosmetic surgeries and dental clinics providing medical facilities and treatment to local and foreign patients. It also seeks investors interested in retirement villages and rehabilitative care for elderly non-citizens; and convalescence centres. Mauritius is in the process of setting up the appropriate frameworks for stem cells treatment. So in the future there will be opportunities to set up stem cells-based treatment centres on the island.
The Bahamas is often thought of as an island for the well off. But the cash-strapped government’s plans for becoming a medical tourism destination are at present just warm air. The government is in a difficult position with the existing capacity to meet the medical/hospital needs of the country reaching a critical point, and the need to replace the aging Princess Margaret Hospital.
