Maryam Ferdowsi
From USSR satellite to Eastern European medical tourism dominator
In order to understand medical tourism in Poland, one has no choice but to look at the underlying historical elements that connects the country’s healthcare system to that of the Soviet Union. That system has left a lasting and influential legacy for Eastern Europe, a legacy that now has turned into strength for these Eastern European states. Today we will evaluate the evolution of Polish medical tourism, its characteristics, strengths and notable medical centers.
Healthcare in the Soviet Union and its Satellites
So long that the USSR and its satellite states continued to exist, these countries collectively adhered to a centralized, integrated, and uniform healthcare system. This system was universal and free, while being a leading medical power on the world stage.
Poland was one such satellite state; however it maintained many elements of its own independent medical identity as well. Following the fall of the USSR and the breakaway of Poland, this country began utilizing this combined medical approach and in conjunction with its new free market began to exercise its medical tourism potential in Eastern Europe.
Marketing and Medical Tourism in Poland
Today, Poland is showcasing its economical and scientific prowess as part of the European Union. Interestingly enough Poland does not rely on its regional neighbors for creating a medical tourist base within its borders.
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This is highlighted by the fact that citizens of countries like Russia and Belarus need to acquire visas to enter Poland, while the citizens of EU member state freely enter Poland for medical tourism purposes.
Polish Position in Medical Tourism and Dreams of Future
Poland is the 17th popular tourism destination in the world, and the country has successfully exploited this potential in order to attract more than 600 thousand medical tourists in the Baltic and Eastern European regions. A number that is comparable with medical tourism giants such as Singapore.
These stats as well as the enthusiasm for medical tourism in Poland shows that it would simply be satisfied with dominating medical tourism in Eastern Europe, but dreams of one day becoming a global medical tourism power. But what are the obstacles are in Poland’s path to realizing this dream?
What Factors Have Contributed to the Growth of Medical Tourism in Poland?
In recent years medical tourism in Poland has seen considerable growth as well governmental support. It also has seen a surge of advancements in marketable medical tourism services such as cosmetic surgeries and dentistry.
Since 2003 medical tourism has become increasingly popular in Poland, and nowadays people from across Europe go to Poland to receive treatments such as cosmetic surgery and dental treatments.
Poland joined the European Union in 2004 and since then has also implemented the union’s medical standards across its healthcare system as well.
Medical Tourism Destinations in Poland
Most important cities of the country for medical tourism include the capital Warsaw and other cities like Krakow, Gdansk, Lodz and Poznan. Among these cities, Warsaw is the largest economical, medical and political center of the country. Krakow is the second largest important city and also has a medical tourism market of considerable size.
English, German, and Russian languages are spoken in most of the large cities in Poland particularly by the medical tourism community including facilitators and physicians.
Some of the most important medical tourism facilitators, like Medigo also provide medical packages for travel to Poland.
Low Costs of Medical Tourism Services in Poland
Another Factor in the success of Polish success in the industry is the low costs of accommodation and travel expenses in the country. These costs are estimated to be one third of the average traveling costs in the EU. Poland is also ripe with cultural landscapes from the renaissance as well as breathtaking natural landscapes that play a major part in the attraction of medical tourists who are also interested in sightseeing alongside their medical journey.
Best time to travel to Poland is from early March through April when the weather is most delightful and would ensure that you will not encounter the harsh polish winters.
Healthcare Characteristics is Poland
Much like many former eastern bloc states, the healthcare system in Poland has underwent massive changes as the gradual shift from communism to capitalism and the emergence of the free market happened.
Healthcare in Poland is free in the public sector and only voluntary payments are made by Polish citizens. Like many other countries, the healthcare in Poland has become increasingly popular and the Polish government has been accused of intentionally blocking public insurance cases in order to encourage growth in the private sector.
The Rise of Private Medical Centers in Poland
Medicover Hospital in Krakow
In response to this declining public insurance quality, private medical centers are spawning at an explosive throughout the country. Many private hospitals and clinics have bypassed the public healthcare system altogether and have founding advanced private clinics in large cities like Warsaw and Gdansk.
These medical centers charge the patient directly and rarely have cooperation with public insurances. At first this policy may seem harmful, but in fact this policy is exactly what has created a successful and innovative private medical sector, ready to provide services to medical tourists. In fact, without this private sector, medical tourism in Poland would fail altogether.
Notable Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Poland
Nearly all Polish medical services are provided by these aforesaid private and high quality medical centers. Medical tourism facilitator companies also sign cooperation contracts with these medical centers.
Since 2004 onwards, many hospitals have been founded or upgraded with the strict purpose of serving medical tourists. Most notable of these hospitals are the Ultramodern Saint Rafael in Krakow and the Medicover hospital in Warsaw.
Future of Polish Medical Tourism
Considering the geopolitical state of Polish neighbor countries, the adequate costs of medical services in Poland, the extensive governmental support for medical tourism and the high quality of medical services provided by the private sector, Poland has become the banner man of medical tourism in Eastern Europe.
When also taking into account the immense economic growth of Poland in recent years, it can potentially become a referred destination and hub for global medical tourism.
Article by: Parsa Khaknezhad
