Medical Tourism in South Africa

South Africa is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism, with a global ranking of 22nd out of 47 destinations in the world medical tourism index. Every year medical tourists from all over Africa, Europe, the USA, and other parts of the world visit South Africa because they are attracted by the country's high-quality care with attractive destinations and activities.

Did you know that Cape Town is the leading medical destination for travelers on the African continent? The legendary surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first heart transplant in Cape Town.

The country offers affordable medical treatments with some of the best doctors and healthcare facilities. The best part is the healthcare system in South Africa varies from basic healthcare provided by the government to highly specialized services in both the private and public sectors. There are over 200 private hospitals and 400 public hospitals in the country.

Common Treatments in South Africa

South Africa is popular for affordable cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, facelifts, tummy tucks, etc. A breast augmentation procedure that costs 8,000 USD in the UK would cost 3,600 USD in South Africa. There is a vast difference in cost, and that's why many people around the world come to South Africa. 

Patients will also get affordable infertility treatments in the country. The infertility treatment cost in the US is around 12,400 USD, while the patient can only pay a third of that in South Africa. 

Other common treatments in the South Africa area:

• Heart Surgery  

• Orthopedic Surgery

• Dentistry

• Organ transplantation, etc.

Why do People Choose South Africa as a Medical Tourism Destination?

South Africa attracts about a million patients every year who seek medical tourism. It is only possible because of their improved healthcare facilities that have now reached a surprising level of quality. People around the world visit South Africa to get affordable treatments with a variety of other attractions.

Below are some of the primary reasons why people choose South Africa as a medical tourism destination:

• Facilities: According to a report, 40% of medical tourist patients seek advanced technology procedures performed by highly trained personnel, and South Africa is popular worldwide for its high-quality medical services. Medical tourists can easily find highly-trained doctors working with state-of-the-art equipment. The doctors and surgeons have been trained at some of the best international institutes to provide the best facilities to their patients. They only use the latest technologies and equipment for the treatment and make the patient's trip as comfortable as possible.     

• Cost Advantage: As mentioned earlier, South Africa provides cost-effective medical treatments as compared to other parts of the world. Besides, medical tourists are also eligible for a rebate on the 14% Value Added Tax (VAT) on all purchases and medical procedures. The reduced cost coupled with high-quality care and an amazing atmosphere make South Africa top in the game of medical tourism. 

• Less Waiting Time: Most patients travel to South Africa for medical treatment because they want to avoid long waiting times. In South Africa, waiting times for most procedures are lower than in many parts of the world. The patients can get quality and hassle-free treatment as soon as possible. They don't have to extend their trip due to long waiting times, which will also help them to save their money. Less waiting time somehow helps maintain the patient's budget in a foreign country.      

• Natural Beauty: Another great reason to receive medical treatments from South Africa is that the patients will get a wide variety of options to recover. The country is famous for captivating landscapes to get rejuvenated after the treatment. There are numerous wellness spas and health centers, making it an ideal destination for postoperative sessions. Many popular 'surgeon and safari packages' in South Africa combine medical treatments with sightseeing in hills and valleys. Medical tourists can get an amazing opportunity to enjoy the beautiful natural attractions to recover from their procedure away from their friends and family.

• Language: Medical tourists prefer South Africa because English is widely spoken in the country, and the language barrier is something patients don't have to worry about. Patients can easily find people who speak English, especially in major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Many private hospitals also provide translators for international patients so that they can communicate easily. This service bridges the language gap for better medical tourism. 

• Personalized Services: International patients will get personalized services in South Africa's hospitals. The healthcare team will make sure that they will take care of the patient's background, religion, and beliefs. Many hospitals also provide a separate place for their prayers, food of their choice, and many other facilities. These personalized services are given to the patient to make their stay comfortable and relaxing. There are a lot of registered nurses who are available round the clock to provide individualized services to patients.  

• Tourist Attractions: Patients can combine their medical trip to South Africa with holiday destinations. There are numerous places in the country to visit and have a memorable experience. Any visit to South Africa can not be complete without Cape Town. Medical tourists can visit Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, and Lion's Head in Cape Town. Kruger National Park is one of the main tourist attractions that offer a wildlife safari experience. For those who want to spend some days in a peaceful town, Stellenbosch is perfect for them. It is also famous for wine-tasting, cafes, nightclubs, and art galleries.

Cost Comparison of Medical Treatment in South Africa and the USA

• Heart bypass surgery in the USA is 144,000 USD, while in South Africa, it costs 50,000 USD.

• Angioplasty in the USA is 57,000 USD, while in South Africa, it costs 14,200 USD.

• Hip replacement in the USA costs 50,000 USD, while in South Africa, it costs 20,000 USD.

• Spinal Fusion in the USA costs 100,000 USD, while in South Africa, it costs 8,000 USD.

• Dental Implants in the USA are 25,00 USD, while in South Africa, it costs 850 USD.

• IVF treatment in the USA costs 12,400 USD, while in South Africa, it is 4,000 USD.

There is a massive difference in the costs of medical treatment in South Africa and the USA without compromising the standard of treatments. This is the major reason why people attracts to South Africa for healthcare.   

Best Hospitals in South Africa

1. Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Center: This hospital has been voted for five consecutive years as the Top 20 Hospitals in South Africa by Discovery Health. It is only healthcare in Kwa-Zulu Natal that offers Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

2. Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital, Hillcrest: It is one of the best hospitals that offer cost-effective healthcare services. It is the first hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal that has two intensivists on-site on a full basis.

3. Life Bayview Private Hospital, Mossel Bay: This hospital delivers international standard healthcare services for the comfortable stay of patients.

4. Life Rosepark Hospital, Bloemfontein: The hospital has 20 specialized medical and surgical departments that provide world-class facilities to patients.

5. Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt, Cape Town: It is one of the oldest private hospitals in the Western Cape with 4-year accreditation from the Council of Health Service Accreditation of South Africa.

Best Doctors in South Africa

1. Dr. Buthelezi Thembinkosi Moses: He is a renowned Obstetrician and Gynecologist with 32 years of rich experience in his field.

2. Dr. Alex Kuhn: A leading Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon having 32 years of experience.

3. Dr. Conrad Jacobs: He is a well-known Radiation Oncologist with 41 years of extensive experience in his field.

4. Dr. Rudi Renison: A well-recognized Neurologist practicing for the past 21 years.

5. Dr. Christo van Rensburg: A reputed Medical Gastroenterologist with 44 years of extensive experience in his field.

Entry and Exit in South Africa

Medical tourists require a valid passport to enter the country. If they are visiting the country for less than ninety days, they do not require a visa. They also need to provide evidence of their financial means, such as bank statements and payslips. 

Their passports should be valid for at least one month after the date they leave the country. Visitors with an extended validity on a machine-readable passport are not allowed to enter or transit South Africa.

Conclusion

South Africa is proving itself to be one of the major destinations for medical tourism. The country provides world-class facilities to millions of tourists every year and established its reputation as the finest healthcare service provider across the world.