The Dominican Republic has emerged as the top destination for medical tourism in the Caribbean.
It now ranks second in Latin America and 19th globally. This rise is thanks to the 262,902 patients who sought medical services in 2022.
They spent six times more than average tourists. These findings were shared at the Sixth International Congress on Health and Wellness Tourism held in the country this week.
Here, experts in medicine, tourism, and finance from the region and beyond meet.
Alejandro Cambiaso, President of the Dominican Health Tourism Association, presented the second study on the nation’s health and wellness tourism.
It spotlighted the sector’s economic impact and challenges.
The report showed that medical visitors spend much more than typical tourists. On average, health tourists spend $7,500, with $5,000 going to medical care.
The rest covers lodging and transport. In 2022, a total of 262,902 international patients came to the Dominican Republic.
Out of these, 179,085 sought dental care, 40,000 had plastic surgery, 26,290 underwent other surgeries, and 17,527 received outpatient and preventive care.
These individuals represented 3.7% of the 7.163 million foreign tourists arriving by air.
Beyond these, local health centers treated 75,845 tourists for health issues during their stay, bringing the total number of foreign patients to 338,747.
Many Private Clinics
The study revealed that 77% of the services were from private clinics, with 23% coming from trust-operated or variously managed centers.
These facilities boast cutting-edge technology. Some hold international accreditations like JCI, Accreditation Canada, and ACHC.
Nineteen institutions were identified, and information was collected from 13, representing a 68% sample.
Most health tourism facilities are in the southeastern region, mainly Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and La Romana, and in the northern Cibao region, in cities like Santiago and Puerto Plata.
Surveys suggest that the education of medical personnel is seen positively. Yet, the report calls for promoting innovation and effective medical re-certification.
This ensures staff stays updated. Technical and nursing staff evaluations were, however, rated as medium to low.
Despite the Dominican hospitality, gaps in language proficiency, multitasking, decision-making, and tech skills were noted.
As the sector diversifies, it includes medical tourism brokers, recovery homes, and centers. These entities also need clear regulations to ensure transparency and quality.