Whenever tourism is mentioned, most people think about discovering iconic landmarks, trying new foods, or visiting world-renowned museums. If you’re talking about tourism in Medellín, though, you’d have to include medical tourism. People from all over the world go to this city for important medical procedures, from plastic surgery to organ transplants. They can take advantage of Medellín’s first-world medical advancements, but pay considerably less for the procedures.
Colombia has an impressive ranking among the world’s healthcare systems, and Medellín is partly responsible for that. The city is home to eight out of the top 42 clinics and hospitals in Latin America, according to America Economia. Due to this and other factors, Colombia was ranked #22 out of 191 healthcare systems by the WHO, putting it ahead of Canada (#30) and the US (#37).
Popular medical procedures in Medellín
This city has many prestigious hospitals, which are equipped to perform quite a number of complex medical procedures. The most popular medical procedures in Medellín include:
- Cancer treatments
- Heart-related procedures
- Organ transplants
- Cosmetic surgeries
- Dental procedures
As you can see, there are several fields in which Medellín doctors, surgeons, and dentists excel. This isn’t by chance, either; the city is considered to be one of Colombia’s top research cities for medicine, and its top hospitals have pioneered several different services in important medical areas.
Why medical tourism is booming in Medellín
There are two factors at play: the high standard of care, combined with the relatively low cost. Medellín has several hospitals that have gained international attention and awards for their successes, which is certainly encouraging for anyone who’s looking for an alternative to local facilities. Even after covering the cost of plane tickets, patients from many countries still save a large percentage of what they would have paid at home.
Some countries, like Mexico and Turkey, are famous (or infamous) for the cheapness of their medical procedures. Popular options include gastric bypass surgery and various cosmetic procedures, many of which are done on high-risk patients that wouldn’t have been accepted in other countries. In this case, medical tourism is thriving due to patients who just want to get their procedure done for a much smaller price tag, and who simply assume that everything will be fine. However, it’s notable that a much smaller number of people travel to countries like Mexico or Turkey for life-saving procedures like open-heart surgery or chemotherapy. When quality and expertise are a priority, Medellín is much more likely to be the patient’s destination.
A closer look at trending medical procedures in Medellín
From life-saving medical procedures to post-surgery therapy, Medellín’s top hospitals are capable of handling it all. Here are some additional details on the city’s most requested procedures.
- Cancer treatments
Medellín’s network of medical providers has worked hard to develop specializations in cancer treatments. These include chemo and radiotherapy, surgery, and terminal care. This is partly because the city has made cancer a focus of research and training for over two decades, which has earned it international recognition.
- Heart diseases
With the first heart transplant in Medellín being performed in 1985, this is another discipline in which the city’s surgeons have a lot of experience. Some of these services include:
- Clinical cardiology
- Open-heart surgery
- Minimally invasive heart surgery
- Pacemaker implantation
- Angioplasties
- Pediatric cardiology
- Thoracic surgery
- Surgery for the management of cardiac arrhythmias
- Hemodynamics
The success of Medellín’s doctors isn’t only due to their skill; it’s also because of the advanced technological equipment in the hospitals. Between one thing and another, it’s clear to see why Medellín has so many top-rated healthcare facilities.
- Organ transplants
In 2004, the National Network of Donation and Transplant of Organs and Tissues was created by the Colombian government. The purpose of this network was to increase awareness about the need for organ donation, and ultimately boost organ donations across the country. As a result, organ transplants have been steadily increasing year after year. Three of Medellín’s best hospitals (the Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe, the Fundaction Universitaria San Vicente de Paul, and the Universidad de Antioquia) have made the city a common destination for recipients of organ transplants, both national and international.
- Cosmetic procedures
No discussion of popular medical procedures in Medellín would be complete without mentioning plastic surgery. For reference, there were 1,287 organ transplants performed in Colombia in 2018. In the same year, the country saw about 350,000 plastic surgeries, with a large percentage of them being done in Medellín. The most common plastic surgeries in Medellín are the same as you’d see anywhere else in the world:
- Rhinoplasty
- Blepharoplasty
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast augmentation
- Liposuction
It’s so common for international patients to travel to Colombia for cosmetic enhancements that some facilities have special medical tourism packages for them. These could include pick-up from the airport, accommodation, food, and transportation. Since the costs of popular plastic surgeries in Medellín are about 40% lower compared to the same procedures in Europe or the US, patients can purchase a medical tourism package and still save money on their cosmetic enhancements.
- Dental procedures
Just like with other popular medical procedures in Medellín, it’s possible to obtain high-quality dental care for a much lower cost compared to European or North American countries. Common dental procedures include:
- Teeth implants
- Restoration procedures
- Periodontics
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Teeth whitening
Tourism visa vs. medical visa
Colombia has agreements in place with many different countries, which allows their citizens to enter without a visa application; they’re simply granted a 90-day tourism visa upon entry. If necessary, they can extend this visa another 90 days. If they’re in the country for medical treatment, however, they may need to stay for more than six months. In that case, they can apply for a medical visa instead. This visa can last for up to two years, and costs $225.
The takeaway
Medellín is known for advancements in many things, including crucial medical fields. Thanks to its dedication to providing the highest level of care for patients, both residents and visitors can rely on the city’s healthcare system for even the most complex medical procedures.
