Medellin, once famous for its drug cartel, has left the violence behind and is now one of the most thriving cities in South America. Its mild climate gave it the byname “City of Eternal Spring” and if you had a chance to visit the city you will agree. More and more tourists distrust the awful image of drugs and violence Hollywood Movies gave the city and discover the true Medellin. Having been a true disruptive innovator in public transportation projects, Medellin is the first city worldwide that has taken funiculars and turned them into a network of mass transportation.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellin Colombia: New Emerging Medical Travel Destination
2. Medellín thrives on medical tourism
3. Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín

Travelling to get a cheaper medical treatment is not a new phenomenon. People from all over the world, especially those in developed countries with relatively high costs of medical care, are increasingly looking for better and more affordable healthcare treatments beyond their own countries.

This trend has now been observed for quite some years and has even increased recently opening up interesting new business opportunities. Not only Asian countries, currently leading this trend towards medical tourism, benefit from the increased demand. Increasingly, US-Americans and Canadians are discovering the excellent medical and healthcare services offered in Latin American countries like Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica – right at their doorstep, for a fraction of the cost of procedures in the US or Canada.

The Colombian government has launched a new strategy to promote the country’s already high-quality / low-cost health services and make them compatible with international patients’ expectations. According to Santiago Ospina, Director of the Service Sector at PROEXPORT – the institution in charge of promoting Colombian non-traditional exports, international tourism and foreign investment in Colombia – “fam-trips” and international trade fairs are the main tools to promote Colombia as a top medical travel destination.

Given the current state of medical tourism in the country, some questions were posed repeatedly during the Symposium: Why Colombia? Why Medellín?

The answer is simple. Colombia’s medical system is one of the best in Latin-America and famous abroad. Many clinics and hospitals are accredited by U.S. organizations such as the Joint Commission International; physicians enjoy an excellent education in Colombia and often specialize in Medical Centers in the US.

The World Health Report 2010 ranked Colombia 22nd in “overall health system performance” (USA: 37th). Costs of procedures in Colombia are between 30% – 90% lower than in the USA. Another strategic advantage is that Colombia is right around the corner. By plane, Colombia is only three hours away from Miami and less than 6 hours from New York. There are numerous direct flights from Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and New York to the main cities, Bogotá and Medellín.

Medellín is known for its high quality healthcare services, especially for cosmetic treatments, dentistry and eye surgery. According to the Medical Tourism Association, Medellín’s Healthcare Cluster has set exceptionally high requirements for applicants seeking membership, improving quality standards in the city even further.

A recent ranking of Latin America’s 35 best medical institutions, edited by América Economía Magazine, Colombia placed eight qualified institutions, five of them in Medellín. However, there is an informational gap that makes patients’ access to this market difficult. Many patients, not able to afford medical procedures in the US are plainly not aware of this healthcare gem. FlyClinic – an innovative newcomer in the medical tourism market – is bridging this gap and offers international patients a personalized, innovative solutions and all necessary information to cut down their healthcare costs.

FlyClinic’s philosophy is based on transparency, honesty, and trust. Its approach is to give patients complete freedom of choice when selecting their own physician and hospital. All affiliated physicians and clinics are yearly audited by FlyClinic, assuring medical, legal, financial and quality compliance of all associates participating.

This makes the FlyClinic’s network unique and assures highest quality standards for international patients’ medical treatments abroad. FlyClinic’s physicians only work with the most renowned clinics, providing the highest technological, service and hygiene standards at or above US level. All personal data is handled trustfully according to US standards and privacy laws (HIPAA).

via Colombia: New Emerging Medical Travel Destination – PR.com.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellin … World Class Medical Care and Services
2. Medellín thrives on medical tourism
3. Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín

How less coverage means more frequent flyer miles.

Because of the high cost of insurance, many people, such as myself, have looked to their options for surgery abroad. Oftentimes buying a plane ticket, living frugally abroad for a week or two and paying the medical coverage is cheaper than staying at home in the U.S. These factors have contributed to an exponential growth in the popularity of medical tourism.

Foreign countries seem to be catching the drift. Tourism companies are jumping at the chance to capitalize on the opportunity. India, with their Apollo Hospital Group, is the leader in medical tourism, even referring to it as “medical outsourcing.” The Apollo Hospital Group has 50 hospitals in the business, and provides services for its clients such as flight and accommodation arrangement.

My experience with surgery abroad was anything but conventional. I was less a medical tourist and more of, what I’d like to call, a “medical traveler.” I didn’t stay in a hotel, hospital or recovery center but rather in the home of Maria Eneida Gomez, a 71-year-old abuela living in Medellin, Colombia.

According to Maria Eneida’s niece, Maria Eugenia Hernandez, the hospital in Medellin, Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paul, pioneered transplant services in Colombia and much of South America. It was the first to offer heart, kidney and as of recently, trachea transplants. It is also the destination for many seeking cosmetic surgery.

Although wisdom tooth-extraction is a fairly common procedure, it is an expensive one, and I had to use my college funds to do it. In the U.S. wisdom tooth-extraction can cost between $150 and $350 each. If there are complications they can cost up to $600.

In Colombia, I paid the equivalent of about two hundred fifty American dollars for the entire procedure. Plus the cost of the round-trip, that comes to just over $1,000 for getting four wisdom teeth extracted and a trip to Central America. Living with María Eneida, the cost of living was free.

I happened to book my trip during the annual week long celebration of the Ferria de Las Flores. Along with the usual parade of cars, concerts and weeklong-free entry into museums and parks, the people celebrated the election of their new president, Juan Manuel Santos. Famous for their flowers, Medellin culminates the week’s festivities with the Desfile de los Sillateros.

Historically, Sillateros were traditional flower-vendors who carried their harvest to the market on their backs in wooden baskets. Soon they began creating murals with the flowers, works of art to carry on their backs for display. This developed into today’s customary two-hour parade, which comprised of Sillateros young and old, displays traditional, picturesque and even commercial arrangements for paying sponsors.

Finally, the day I was dreading arrived. Unlike most that get driven to their wisdom tooth-extraction, I took two buses and a taxi to my appointment, with about ten minutes of walking in-between each vehicle. I’m talking extreme bus rides through the city, with drivers who think they own the road, alternate pumping the gas and the brakes, and drive with the door open. I wondered how I’d feel doing it on the way home, with a swollen face and loopy from pain killers.

That day, however, I would not be finding out. My appointment turned out to be nothing more than a pre-op, as the doctor informed me that he needed an x-ray, which I hadn’t come equipped with. He was confident he could do it without one, but if any complications arose, he would be questioned why he did not have one. I was both relieved and disappointed by not being able to get it over with, but I knew he was an honest doctor who would do a good job.

The x-ray only cost 25,000 pesos, or just under $14. But the medications he’d prescribed for me which included Amoxil (a strain of penicillin), Scaflam (anti-inflammatory) and Dolex (for pain), cost more than I’d expected. In total, the three cost an equivalent of just over $100.

The surgery went well, as far I could tell after an hour flying on laughing gas. While I waited, a young attendant sat in my room with me monitoring the gas, and the doctor came in and out to administer the anesthesia. The young woman who was attending me was very nice, and wanted to know what were pretty American names. Her name was Alejandra.

The extraction itself only took about twenty minutes, after which I was given a face wrap that had cheek-pockets for ice-bags, and worked quite well. We took a taxi home, to my relief, and I watched Salt on my laptop, which I’d bought on the street for less than a dollar the day before. I couldn’t talk for hours because my tongue was still numb, so when I needed to I, not only wrote to Eneida, but did so in Spanish.

Not many people, when asked how their tooth extraction went, can say it was a culturally-rich experience. However, it looks as if more and more will be able to do so. For me, medical tourism offered an array of sensory treasures–sights of city built high into mountains, and smells of rain, exhaust and grilling meat. Not to mention tastes of arepas (Colombian corn tortillas), chusos (kebabs of carne asada made and sold on the street), guanabana juice and fried plantains.

What with all the flowers and celebration I witnessed, the kindness and generosity I received, and the sights, smells and flavors I indulged in, it was certainly the price I would have paid for a surgery without the excitement of travel and the unknown.

By Ana McIntosh on August 27, 2010 via CU Independent.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellín thrives on medical tourism
2. Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín
3. Medical Tourism in Medellin – High Quality Healthcare

For the past 40 years, up until 2007, the American press has ransacked Colombia and particularly, Medellin. But with the sound leadership of President Uribe (80% approval rating) Colombia has overcome many of its security issues and now offers possibly one of the greatest real estate opportunities of all time.

Medellin is a cosmopolitan city of 4 million people that rivals anywhere on earth in terms of beauty, climate and cleanliness. At 4200 ft altitude in a mountain valley near the equator Medellin virtually has a springtime climate every month. There are also very few bugs or insects. Thus there is no need for air conditioning, heaters, screens or bug spray. Even the poorest people here have million-dollar views. The city is very clean even in the poorest areas. There are more universities here than in Boston MA. The health care in Medellin is excellent and many people are now coming to Medellin for plastic surgery and dental work at 1/4th the cost in the US.

In El Poblado, Medellin’s most luxurious suburb, there is more high rise construction than in NYC, Los Angeles and Philadelphia – combined. El Poblado is sort of like Brentwood CA but with hills, views and more vegetation. The local populace, paisas, are extremely friendly and like Americans. The women of Medellin are the most beautiful in the world and friendly to boot. No attitudes here and they are warm and family orientated. There is no age discrimination and in fact it is an honor to socialize or date a “maduro”, a mature person.

Condominiums and homes in Medellin are cheaper than Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean and most parts of South America. Quality construction with million dollar views can be had for $50-80 per square foot in the nicest part of Medellin and for less in other very attractive neighborhoods. On a comparative basis Medellin is the least expensive of any major cosmopolitan city in the world.

If one looks at what happened to real estate prices in Costa Rica and Panama when Americans began investing there 7-12 year ago, the prices went up more than 800%. For anyone who has visited all three places they will tell you that Medellin is superior in every respect. So when America discovers that the crime rate in Medellin is less than Atlanta, Baltimore, St Louis, Washington DC, Detroit, New Orleans, and other major US cities and continuing to drop, there will be new interest in discovering Medellin. There is a reason that National Geographic named Colombia as one of its top six tourist destinations for 2008.

But the real proof that the truth about Colombia and Medellin will soon be realized is that in the past 18 months there have been more than 130 positive articles about Colombia and Medellin in US newspapers, magazines and TV. This is more good news than in the previous 50 years combined. There are news archives available on the Internet where these articles and TV clips can be accessed. Between the good news and word of mouth, American visa requests in Colombia are at an all time high and growing.

Timing and location is everything in terms of successful real estate investing. Medellin’s location is second to none and the timing could not be better. Do your research and discover why Medellin is truly the world’s best kept real estate secret whether for investing, as a second home or to retire early and live like a king. It is truly an opportunity to “own a piece of paradise”.

By Rich Holman – Owner/Broker

First American Realty Medellin

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellin Real Estate: The Truth About Prices
2. Colombia Real Estate Has A Wide Range Of Opportunities For Investors
3. For Real Estate Investors, Colombia Has a Bright Future

On December 2, 1993, drug king Pablo Escobar received a fatal bullet through the ear as he tried to outrun Colombian police across the terracotta rooftops of Medellín. At the time of his death, he was one of the richest men on the planet. His drug cartel controlled 80 percent of the global cocaine trade and sustained the city. Medellín had become the drug capital of the world and one of its most violent places, with about 6,500 homicides in 1991 alone.

But now the city Escobar made infamous for cocaine is inviting you to see its safer new face. And while you’re down there, maybe you can get a new face yourself. Or some new bone marrow, for that matter. Medellín is back, and this time it’s touting itself as the hot new spot for medical tourism. It’s a poetic turn of events: A city once ravaged by globalization is diving into the growing trend of globalized medicine, where people priced out of the United States fly to South Africa for a two-in-one rhinoplasty and safari, or to India for a fast organ transplant. Medellín is in a great position to do this. The city is closer than Asia or Africa, has a functioning infrastructure, and an educated workforce. And, in a culture where plastic surgery is de rigeur, it has the specialists to deliver the goods.

Medical tourism has real potential to revive Medellín’s economy, but it also raises the question: At whose expense?

Why Medellín? Once a wealthy city in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, the city fell on hard times in the post-WWII-war period after the country opened itself up to global markets, which brought massive internal displacement. This exposed the city to narco-trafficking and spectacular violence. In recent years, however, the Medellín government has thrown itself into a huge, well-publicized urban-renewal campaign. With the help of the national government, headed by Medellín native Álvaro Uribe, the city has reduced the murder rate by two-thirds( despite a recent spike), built shiny new mass-transport to integrate the population, refurbished parks, and opened new libraries and museums.

A key part of the six-pronged revival plan is promoting Medellín as a destination for medical tourism. The point is to bring in people who aren’t quite rich enough at home but are affluent by Colombian standards. The task of chasing those dollars falls to the so-called Medical Cluster, a public-private partnership between the municipality of Medellín and the Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to create superior medical and research centers that lure travelers from North America—mostly Hispanics from New York, New Jersey, and Florida—the Caribbean, and Spain. By 2014, the city aims to host 15,000 foreign patients a year and to rank as one of the top three medical tourism sites in Latin America. (The current medalists are Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil, though the continent is far behind Asia in terms of the volume of foreign patients and money its hospitals attract.) Since its launch in December 2008, the Medical Cluster program has secured 5,000 foreign patients and $7 million in revenue.

For this to succeed, however, the care must be top-notch. No problem. The Medical Cluster and its government backers have found all kinds of boosters: public financing to educate specialists abroad, plus credit from private banks to develop the city’s medical infrastructure—to the tune of $250 million over three years to build clinics with new technology. That means 1,000 more hospital beds, 10 million-12 million jobs in the city, and some very happy construction companies.

This is an impressive investment for any municipality, let alone one with such a troubled past and a population of just 2.5 million. But is it worth it for the average resident of Medellín? The classic dilemma of medical tourism is that it redistributes scarce resources away from those who need it toward people who simply want it. Hospital beds—or, in the worst-case scenario, organs—go to gringos shelling out for elective procedures instead of the locals who are actually ill.

Medellín’s government argues that is not the case. They say the new clinics will provide better health care to locals—and that part of the investment can be recuperated off of the backs of foreigners who spend still more on local hotels as they recover before the flight home. The government also argues that it’s a good use of human capital, which was wasted during the heyday of narco-trafficking. Colombians, and Medellín locals in particular, are highly educated. And they live in a largely developed and functioning state. Plus, it’s the perfect confluence of supply and demand. Most foreign patients come for plastic surgery (for rhinoplasties and breast augmentations). And in a culture where plastic surgery is so common that boob jobs are regularly raffled off on the radio, it’s no surprise that good plastic surgeons abound. The relatively small Medical Cluster member Clínica las Américas boasts no fewer than 12.

Moreover, the Colombians have preempted the thorniest issue of all: organ transplants. In 2005, the national parliament passed a law that gives Colombians the priority on all solid organ transplants. For this reason, medical tourists are limited to transplants of relatively plentiful bone marrow.

So Medellín seems to have this sown up. And that’s great, except that it obscures many reasons medical tourism exists—and this is worth keeping in mind now that everyone seems to think health care’s a battle won. Medical tourism is a market response to the medical inequity in America. “Most medical tourism uses doctors that are underutilized at the destination, and the people who use it are people who have been priced out at home,” says Tarun Khanna, a professor at the Harvard Business School who has studied medical tourism to emerging markets. People go abroad for health care because they are uninsured, or because their health insurance doesn’t cover the procedure and they can’t afford it.

And at first glance it makes sense: A cardiac bypass can cost $60,000 in the United States and $21,000 in Medellín. (Elective aesthetic procedures, though sexier, are not that expensive to begin with—a face lift usually costs less than $10,000 in the United States —so it makes a bit less sense to travel, since you’ll spend most of your money recuperating.) Some insurance companies, like Aetna and Seven Corners, have already started to get in on the great deals themselves, offering medical tourism packages to Americans.

But those savings come with big risks, which are often not well-known. First, flying to an operation is no vacation: You’re going to have surgery, and surgery hurts. It’s hard on your body, too, so you need time to recover, plus the return flight carries a high chance of fatal blood clots. And that’s if everything goes well in the operating theater. No hospital in Medellín has accreditation from the Joint Committee International, which is the only World Health Organization body to certify international sites in patient safety. Three Medellín hospitals are applying, and this is not to say that the hospitals are inherently sub-par; it’s just harder to ascertain the quality of care. But this can become a problem if something goes wrong: Medical records can be hard to get, says Dr. Alan Matarasso, a professor or plastic surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Procedures have not been tested as rigorously as in America, and fixing the damage can be nearly impossible. “I just saw a boy who came back from Brazil where he had gotten some kind of injection in his cheeks,” Matarasso says. “We X-rayed it and couldn’t figure out what it was, or how to get it out.” The lumpy cheeks, he adds, are now irreparable.

Of course, plenty of procedures pass off without a hitch and the patients get to tour Colombia’s coffee regions, which also develop. But the larger point is this: It’s a happy symbiosis with a real American illness at its core.

via Can Plastic Surgery Save a Former Cocaine Capital? | The Big Money.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellín thrives on medical tourism
2. Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín
3. Medellin … World Class Medical Care and Services

Medellín in Colombia has many hospitals offering medical tourism. Transplant surgery first attracted foreign patients to Pablo Tobón Uribe, a private hospital. Up to 80 per cent of the hospital's international patients come from the US, followed by Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela and the Netherlands. Since 2003, the hospital has treated 1700 foreigners.

The hospital’s expertise in transplants and lower costs, continues to attract international patients .It can no longer offer kidney transplants, but liver transplants are still a possibility for foreigners who are stable and do not have type-O blood. A liver transplant in the US is about $315,000 and in Colombia you can pay $63,000.

With the creation of a special unit to co-ordinate international patient care, as well as accommodation, flights and other assistance, the hospital is now promoting general surgery, neuro interventions, obesity reduction surgeries and cancer treatments.

Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe is one of 12 Colombian hospitals awaiting accreditation by the US-based Joint Commission International

via Medellín thrives on medical tourism.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín
2. Medical Tourism in Medellin – High Quality Healthcare
3. My experience with medical tourism in Medellin

Having endured waves of violence for being the command centre of a well-known cocaine empire in Colombia, the city of Medellín is experiencing a surge in medical tourism.

During the 1980s and early 1990s the hospitals and morgues in Medellín were inundated with victims of executions carried out by the organisation headed by Pablo Escobar, as well as casualties of battles with left-wing guerrillas, particularly in the neighbourhood of Santo Domingo.

The expertise cultivated during those dark years has given the hospitals a leading edge to become proficient in organ transplants and specialised surgeries.

The neighbourhood of Santo Domingo is today a fine example of urban regeneration, with private hospitals such as Pablo Tobón Uribe at the top of the list in demand for transplant surgeries. Providing a standard of care rivalling the one provided at hospitals in developed countries, at a fraction of the cost, has proven to be a very attractive proposition to many US citizens and other foreign nationals in need of specialised medical attention.

All the patients needs are covered with a holistic approach, including their cultural, dietary and religious needs whilst hospitalised. A special unit coordinates the care of all international patients and arranges transportation, accommodation, booking of flights and other assistance.

In addition of general surgery, the hospital promotes neurological interventions, obesity-reduction surgeries and cancer treatments.

The Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital has contracts with Bupa International and Blue Cross Blue Shield of the US, plus five other international insurance companies.

Companies mentioned:

Bupa International

BUPA is an international health insurance company that provides health insurance for individuals and companies all over the world. This company has offices on three continents and over 7 million customers’ world wide. As a provident association BUPA has no shareholders, because of this it uses its profits to invest in healthcare and medical facilities around the world.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Throughout our 80-year history, the 39 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have provided millions of families with top-quality, affordable health insurance. Today, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Brands are registered in more than 170 countries.

Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital

The Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital (PTUH) began work in 1970, but its history dates back to 1946. The Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital is a non-profit, private foundation. It is a general hospital, with

By Sergio via Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín : International Insurance News.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellín thrives on medical tourism
2. Medical Tourism in Medellin – High Quality Healthcare
3. My experience with medical tourism in Medellin

The Medical Tourism Association hosted a Familiarization Tour to the everlasting place of spring time, Medellín, Colombia December 8th-12th 2009. Nine medical tourism facilitators, insurance companies and agents from the United States, Canada and the Caribbean explored the high quality of the healthcare system, accreditation, warmth and hospitality Medellín has to offer their patients.

Upon our arrival, after only a 3-hour flight from Miami we were immediately welcomed with open arms by representatives of the Medellín Healthcare Cluster. From the moment we stepped outside there was a sense of freedom and relaxation in the air. We came down through the forested locale to a breathtaking opening, where we were met by the astonishing view of the entire city of Medellín, revealing the radiant lights from the hillsides to the mountain tops. As we drove down the light-encrusted mountain it was easy to imagine how one might fall in love with this city.

The familiarization tour was sponsored by the Medellín Healthcare Cluster, organized with the goal of promoting Medellín as a competitive medical tourism destination.  The Medellín Healthcare Cluster has set exceptionally high principles for applicants seeking Healthcare Cluster membership. All amenities must go through an intense application process and avowal to go through or apply for the Joint Commission International accreditation within the next two years to be accepted. The Familiarization Tour included visits to some of the top hospitals in Colombia such as: Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Pa l, Hospital General de Medellín, Clínica El Rosario, Centro Odontol g  Congregaci n Mariana, Clinica Odontolgica Promta, Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe, Clinica Cardiovascular, and Clinica Oftalmolgica de Antioquia-Colfan. In addition, participants had the opportunity to visit State of the Art air-ambulance company SARPA.

The City of Lights

Colombia is located in South America bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama. Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and is persistently growing given the on-going development in domestic security since 2002. Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia, and Capital City of the State of Antioquia. With countless tourism activities for visitors, Medellín serves as a popular destination for international travelers. Medellín has breathtaking views of this magnificent city from every angle you may choose to look. During this time of year the city of Medellín hires 2,000 employees to string lights throughout the neighborhoods and countryside giving the city a magical feeling. The city gathers local traditions such as dancers, instrument players and multicolored characters as lights. Medellín created this project to attract international travelers, since most foreigners enjoy seeing unique places, food, and attractions while in another country. These lights are a tribute to the country demonstrating the most significant landscapes and icons from the region. Shortly after, the project was then implemented by other Latin American countries such as: Venezuela, Honduras, and Ecuador. Medellín began the renovation process in 2002, altering the aesthetic appearance of this beautiful city.  Medellín is committed to position itself as one of the major players in the Health and Wellness sector of the Medical Tourism Industry. Between the years of 2005 and 2006, the number of foreigners visiting Medellín grew by 33.4%, from approximately 71, 000 to approximately 95,000 visitors, and grew another 20 % half way through 2007.

Local Cuisine

To start, one must sample the baked corn arepas (flat corn pancake) with butter and cheese alongside Colombian coffee. Colombian coffee is the ultimate desired beverage and is said to be the best in the world. Colombian coffee is primarily grown in Medellín, neighboring towns, and more mountainous areas such as Bogotá giving coffee a rich balanced flavor. Next, empanadas are a must have while in Colombia. Empanadas are typically made with shredded chicken, pork, beef, and ground meat but can be found filled with potato and vegetables; served with aji (hot sauce) and lime wedges on the side. In Colombia, empanadas are sold essentially everywhere in the city.

Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paul

Hospital Universitario San Vincente de Pa l is a non-profit private institution with 96 years of experience and great national and international recognition. Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Pa l offers 648 beds to the public and is a Colombian Leader in healthcare generating health research, specialists in high complexity care, and experienced leadership in transplants. The hospital has alliances with the main universities in Medellín for education and research purposes in the training of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers, management engineering and social communication schools. Some of the hospital specialties include Cardiovascular and Thoracic Unit, Oncology Unit, Bone Marrow Transplants and Orthopedics.

Oral Home

Oral Home is a 24/7 dental clinic catering to emergency cases and general services to the community. Oral Home is not only a dental clinic, but has integrated the wellness sector even into their basic services. Oral Home has a 24/7 emergency mobile service which assists many international patients in comfort and satisfaction. Oral Home is equipped with the most advanced technology providing excellent results.

Hospital General de Medellín

Hospital General de Medellín is the only public hospital in the entire Medellín Healthcare cluster. Hospital General de Medellín is equipped with 423 beds, which provides intermediate and adult critical care and pediatrics services. Among its many achievements Hospital General de Medellín has become the first public hospital of third level to achieve National Accreditation (accredited by ISQUA) by the Social Protection Ministry of Colombia. Hospital General Medellín was also ranked in the 20 best hospital and clinics of Latin-America, ranked by America Econmicas, and is also participating in the first phase for the International Accreditation with JCI Standards that was organized with International Quality Resources Health Accreditation. The mission of Hospital de General Medellín is a social enterprise of the state that provides health services up to high complexity levels. Such services focus on patient safety and provide affection, confidence and satisfaction while promoting high-quality and good environmental practices. 
 

Clínica El Rosario

Clínica El Rosario is a prestigious non-profit institution of religious nature that belongs to the society of Dominican Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin of Tour. Clínica El Rosario is a 240 bed multi-functioning hospital with two headquarters in Medellín. Clínica El Rosario is a pioneer in healthcare with a mission to contribute to life and health recovery through a comprehensive secure, humane and differentiated service with specialized personal and excellent management that ensures value creation for the target social groups, economic sustainability and performance in time. Clínica El Rosario’s international specialty services consist of Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, Heart Value Surgery, and Radiology.

Centro Odontolgica Congregacion Mariana

Centro Odontol gico Congregaci n Mariana is a non-profit institution, with offices in the south and downtown areas of Medellín to provide general and specialized oral health to the public. Centro Odontol gico Congregaci n Mariana has a total of 16 rooms and three operating rooms. Aesthetic Dentistry, Oral Rehabilitation, and Dental Implants are the most sought after by international patients. Centro Odontol gico Congregaci n Mariana has a vision to consolidate in 2015 as the renowned oral health institution in the city for its technical quality and competitive pricing.

Clinica Odontolgica Promta

Clinica Odontol gica Promta has 21 years of experience providing the highest quality in comprehensive oral health services offering all dental specialties, with four clinics located strategically throughout Medellín. Clinica Odontol gica Promta serves 10,000 patients a month and has the capacity to treat 150 international patients, with 50 % of international patients being treated from the US and 35 % from Spain.  Clinica Odontol gica is conveniently positioned only steps away from downtown hotels and only two blocks from popular international lodging.

Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe

Hospital Pablo Tob n Uribe is a non-profit institution with a mission to provide an incomparable complexity in the healthcare industry while contributing the most current scientific knowledge within a structure of Christian humanism. Hospital Pablo Tob n Uribe is the first and only hospital in Colombia to be both ISQUA accredited and receive the excellence institution certification of high complexity level of health in Colombia. Hospital Pablo Tob n Uribe is a 255-bed hospital specializing in Transplants, Advance Oncology, Palliative Care, Orthopedics, and Cosmetic Surgery.

Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa María

Since 1966, Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa María has treated patients with cardiovascular diseases in areas of prevention, diagnosis, invasive and surgical treatment. Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa María is another leader in Colombia healthcare, completing the first heart and lung transplant in Colombia and is a national and international reference center.  Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa Mar a is committed to offering specialized services to its patients specializing in areas such as Angioplasty without Stent, Cardiac Value Replacement, Coronary Bypass Surgery, Cardiac Transplants and Hemodynamics. Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa María offers a total of 140 beds, 73 specialists, and has proven to be a leader with the highest quality standards in medicine.

Clinica Oftalmolgica de Antioquia-Colfan

Clinica Oftalmolgica de Antioquia-Colfan is modernly designed for all patients to receive the most proficient care and specializes in Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery, Refractive Surgery and Corneal Surgery for international patients. Clinica Oftalmolgica de Antioquia-Colfan has a total of 59 specialist physicians, allowing this innovative facility to receive additional international patients. 
Servicios Aereos Panamericanos “SARPA”

Sarpa is a charter airline company with offices in both Medellín and Bogotá that offers charter services, air ambulance services, domestic and international flights including load and passenger transportation. Sarpa is the first and only Colombian entity certified by the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority. Sarpa has attended to international patients in countries such as Aruba, San Marteen, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and many more. This air ambulance group has 25 specialists, five anesthesiologists and 10 emergency specialists for all adult general illness, trauma, pediatric and newborns. Sarpa goes over and beyond expectations with safe and dependable transportation when it is most needed with revolutionary technology and human warmth.

About the Author

Stephanie is Membership Coordinator, and involved in managing the Social Media & Marketing Department for the Medical Tourism Association. Stephanie provides recruitment, coordination and retention support for members of the MTA. In addition, she supports the Health Tourism Magazine. She may be reached at stephanie@medicaltourismassociation.com or www.medicaltourismassociation.com.

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. Medellín thrives on medical tourism
2. Medical Tourism on the rise in Colombian City of Medellín
3. My experience with medical tourism in Medellin

Dental services in Medellin are on a par with top Western practices, but at a fraction of the cost. With the increasing costs of medical procedures in North America and Europe, South America is becoming a popular option among medical tourists looking for cheaper yet equally reliable healthcare.

Medical tourism was identified and has become a leading attraction for both American and European health travelers.

Customers who take advantage of medical services in Medellin avail of the opportunity to explore a new culture; wonderful weather and exotic location both before and after procedures have been carried out.  Medellin is considered to be one of the best of Colombia’s hospitals and specialty medical centers. Dentists in Colombia are trained to the highest level, with international requirements ensuring that their medical skills and knowledge meet global standards.

Following is an excerp from the World Bank report, entitled: Prospects for Health Tourism Exports for the English Speaking Caribbean.

“Due to Colombia’s relatively low costs and high quality, private health services have been highly attractive … Private health services in Colombia have comparative advantages over the Caribbean due to the low costs of medical and paramedical personnel, the availability of high technology equipment, and facilities which in some cases have good international reputations. Moreover, modern hospital administrative systems and quality assurance programs are being developed to make these services more attractive to the US market.”

COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Cosmetic dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of the mouth (teeth and gums), unlike traditional dentistry which focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases.

People seek cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons. The truth is, most people would like their teeth to be straighter, whiter, and pleasing to the eye when they smile. Many people who feel that their smile is unattractive, will rarely smile or cover their mouth with their hand whenever they laugh. This could also negatively influence their self esteem which can impact both personal and professional relationships. Others just want to look younger and they want to hide the signs of aging on their teeth (such as yellowish color and worn tooth edges).

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry procedures currently in use include:

• Teeth Whitening – Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedure. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea, or red wine), or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile.
  Composite Bonding: Chipped, broken, discolored or decayed teeth may be repaired or have their appearance corrected using a procedure called composite bonding. A dental composite material with the look of enamel and dentin is applied into the cavity or onto the surface of a tooth, where it is then sculpted into shape, contoured and hardened with a high-intensity light. The result is a restoration that blends invisibly with the remainder of the surrounding tooth structure and the rest of your natural teeth to create a healthy, bright smile.
• Inlays/Onlays: Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays made from porcelain or composite materials are a long-lasting yet cosmetic way to provide a “filling” to teeth with tooth decay or similar structural damage. Whereas dental fillings are molded into place within the mouth during a dental visit, inlays and onlays are created in a dental laboratory before being fitted and adhesively bonded into place by your dentist.
• Dental Veneers- Plastic or porcelain laminates, bonded to the surface of a tooth to replace chips and cracks, will improve a worn appearance or severe tooth discoloration. Veneers may also be recommended if you have gaps in your teeth or if you have not had success with teeth whitening.
• Gum Lift, is a cosmetic dental procedure that raises and sculpts the gum line. The procedure involves reshaping the tissue and/or underlying bones to create the appearance of longer or more symmetrical teeth.
  Enamel Shaping removes parts of the contouring enamel to improve the appearance of the tooth. It may be used to correct a very small chip. The removed enamel is irreplaceable, and may sometimes expose Dentin. It is also known as enameloplasty, odontoplasty, recontouring, reshaping and stripping.
• Full Ceramic Crowns - A crown, also called a cap, is a custom-made restoration that repairs and strengthens a tooth that has fractured, has a large cavity, has an old filling that has failed, or has had root canal therapy. Fabricated of all-porcelain for strength, endurance and appearance, a crown completely covers the tooth, restoring and protecting. Crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes, enhancing the appearance of a tooth that is discolored or an unusual shape.
• Smile Makeovers: Smile makeovers involve a comprehensive assessment of your smile esthetics in order to improve its overall appearance. Typically one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, gingival sculpting and teeth whitening, will be required for several teeth in both the upper and lower arches in order to achieve the look you want.
• Full Mouth Reconstruction: While consulting with you about a smile makeover to primarily improve the esthetic appearance of your smile, your dentist may discover that there is a need to provide necessary treatment to correct functional problems with your bite, muscles, teeth and bone structure. If you need full mouth reconstruction, the materials available today make it possible for your dentist to provide you with durable, functional and clinically sound treatments that also look natural.
• Dental Implants - Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a part of prosthetic dentistry in order to compensate for tooth loss. Often the result is not only an enhanced smile, but also a more youthful appearance, since missing teeth cause the face to collapse, making you look older.
  Many different tools are available today to help you and the specialists visualize what can be done before actually performing anything on your mouth.

With the aid of computers and advanced software programs, pictures of the patients mouth can be altered, for example: do a gum lift, reshape tooth anatomy, repair chipped or broken teeth. This helps to decide what can be achieved and make sure the patient likes it.

The wax up of cast models is also a very useful tool for the patient and especially for the dentist.
Using state of the art computer programs as NobelGuide® from Nobel Biocare permits a tridimensional reconstruction of a CT scan and actually perform a surgery on the computer before is even done on the real patient. This helps to reduce chair time for the surgery, gives more precision and in many cases permits doing a flapless surgery (with out incisions).

Medellin’s Leading English Speaking Cosmetic Dentist: Dr. Juan Carlos Mejía Escalante

Dr. Mejia graduated as a dentist from CES University, a well recognized private school in Medellin.  He later got a postgraduate degree in Dental Care for the Adult Patient from the University of Antioquia, one of the oldest and most prestigious public Universities in Colombia. Immediately after graduation he started teaching as a professor on the dental faculty of the University of Antioquia and taught there for over ten years.

He also got a degree in surgical and prosthetic management of dental implants from the University of El Bosque.
He has actively taken many courses of continuing education programs to be on top of the latest advances in the dental field specially Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry.

On the past several years, he has mainly devoted his practice to providing dental care for the health tourism/foreign visitor patient and has perfected the logistics of this practice.

He has assembled a team of the most noted dental specialists in Medellin in the various fields of dentistry to make sure the best possible service is deliver in the different areas of dentistry.

Contact information:
Juan Carlos Mejía Escalante
E-mail: juancmejia2002@hotmail.com
ARTICA, Clínica Odontológica
Palms Avenue, Oficina 330
Vía Las Palmas km. 3 (Carulla Las Palmas)
Teléfono: (57) 4- 448 48 47
Celular: (57) 312 258 34 36
Medellín – Colombia

Luxury Medellin Real Estate, Medellin Property Listings, Real Estate Advice and Consultancy

Call or Email now for an Expert Consultation www.luhorealestate.com Email: info@luhorealestate.com

Office: (+57 4) 312 5827 - Mobile: (+57) 314 728 9411 - USA: (305) 600 0776

Related posts:

1. My experience with medical tourism in Medellin