Mexico Kidnapping Highlights Hidden Risks of Medical Tourism

The current kidnapping of 4 U.S. residents crossing the Mexican border in Texas has drawn headlines throughout the globe. In accordance with 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 current tragedy offers new that means to the phrase “medical tourism gone fallacious,” say specialists.

In accordance with Sufferers With out Borders, Mexico is among the high locations for medical tourism amongst People, with an estimated 1.1 million guests arriving in search of medical care annually. These procedures and coverings embrace beauty surgical procedures, dental work, wellness therapies, and different health-related providers. Whereas specialists usually level to unqualified physicians, high quality of care management and surgical security considerations as main dangers, this story highlights different safety considerations to contemplate.

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

Miami plastic surgeon Sean Simon, MD says many medical tourism instances gone dangerous might be averted totally. “Earlier than making the choice to journey overseas for cheaper surgical procedure, see not less than one native board-certified plastic surgeon and allow them to know that you’re contemplating a process outdoors of the nation,” he advises. “Each affected person has to make this determination for themselves, however it’s essential to perceive the inherent negatives and the chance of the unknown.”