Mexico Kidnapping Highlights Hidden Risks of Medical Tourism

The latest kidnapping of 4 U.S. residents crossing the Mexican border in Texas has drawn headlines throughout the globe. In response to AP Information, one of many abductees was touring to Mexico for tummy tuck surgical procedure. Officers say two of the vacationers have been killed and two survived. This latest tragedy offers new that means to the phrase “medical tourism gone fallacious,” say specialists.

In response to Sufferers With out Borders, Mexico is without doubt one of the prime locations for medical tourism amongst Individuals, with an estimated 1.1 million guests arriving in search of medical care annually. These procedures and coverings embody beauty surgical procedures, dental work, wellness remedies, and different health-related providers. Whereas specialists usually level to unqualified physicians, high quality of care management and surgical security issues as main dangers, this story highlights different safety issues to contemplate.

“Medical tourism attracts sufferers to locations the place security and private safety are lower than in the US,” says Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD. “People may be robbed, kidnapped, or harmed as they journey to a clinic for beauty surgical procedure. Sufferers looking for beauty surgical procedure exterior of the US should totally analysis their surgeon, the situation of the clinic, and verify to see if there are safety points of their vacation spot.”

Miami plastic surgeon Sean Simon, MD says many medical tourism instances gone dangerous may be prevented fully. “Earlier than making the choice to journey overseas for cheaper surgical procedure, see a minimum of one native board-certified plastic surgeon and allow them to know that you’re contemplating a process exterior of the nation,” he advises. “Each affected person has to make this resolution for themselves, however you should perceive the inherent negatives and the chance of the unknown.”