Medical Tourism in Saudi

I've spoken quite a few times about medical issues in Saudi be it medical treatment, care, or making decisions regarding ones medical care. What I've seen as of late is that there is a drive to have more non Saudis to come to the Kingdom for care. This ranges from separating conjoined twins which is always in the press or Saad Hospital advertising heart related treatments.

At a recent emergency dental visit (nothing like breaking a tooth on vacation) the dentist said to me "If I'm going to need treatment I would rather do it in America". And I thought about that and honestly I can't say the same when it comes to all ailments. If I ever get cancer (ya Allah please protect me from that) I would stay put in Saudi. I would seek out the wonderful doctors that were involved in my mothers care. However if Umar needed something in related to his DS I would return to America.

Medical care depends on many factors, facilities, medicines available, doctor's knowledge, patient knowledge and even how a patient is treated overall (follow up care, in home services, group support ect). Having my father recently in the hospital here I know that idiot Drs exist anywhere. I was told over the phone by Dr. Paprika (that is what his name sounds like) that he had cancer. I asked for a prognosis "He is a strong man" I asked if he wanted the xrays that he had in Saudi in order to compare growth "we have all we need here with CT scans they are much better than xrays". The next day he tells my brother "I never told your sister he has cancer" and it turns out he doesn't have cancer. And this is not to say someone can't get the same in Saudi I related here how I was told of Umar having DS.

So no country can claim they are the be all to end all of medical care. However Saudi is not behind when it comes to medical treatments. The foundation is there, facilities, Drs, medicines, lower costs in some areas and a growing understanding that there is more to treating a patient than a prescription. I would love to see some areas advance sooner rather than latter. But perhaps with more articles like this one by Afifa Quraishi which covers the various aspects of medical tourism in Saudi.

And no I'm not just pointing out this article because I'm quoted in it. I actually like this article which says a lot as I've spoken about my dislike for articles I find in the English news papers in Saudi. It is well written and thorough and I'll be watching for more articles from this author.