Singapore is one of the top medical tourism spots in the world. This tiny island is home to several world-class medical facilities that specialize in every major medical treatment available. A dozen JCI-accredited facilities provide a range of cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurological, and oncology treatments. Cutting-edge medical treatments can be found, including rare stem cell therapy for cancer patients. Organ transplant surgeries, particularly liver transplants, are a specialty at Gleneagles Hospital. A full range of cosmetic procedures can be found at the popular Leslie Kuek's Plastic Surgery clinic.
With a reputation for being a clean, cosmopolitan city, Singapore draws medical and non-medical tourists year-round. Breathtaking island sights, spectacular sandy beaches, exotic food from every ethnic group, and rich historical and cultural attractions make Singapore a worthy competitor for a slice of the Asian medical tourism market. For North American, British, and Australian patients, Singapore has the advantages of pervasive English language skills amongst locals, a clean, safe, modern environment, and a distinctly Western feel. The flip side is that Singapore is the most expensive Asian medical travel destination, though the government’s focus on drawing foreigners for medical care will foster competition that ought to bring prices down somewhat.
A dozen hospitals in Singapore, including hospitals such as Raffles Hospital Network, Gleneagles Hospital, and the National Healthcare Group Hospitals are accredited by JCI.
Singapore Factoids
• The Singapore government strongly supports medical tourism, aiming to serve one million foreign patients annually by 2012.
• English is the most widely-spoken language in Singapore.
• Singapore consists of one main island and 63 tiny islands; most of which are uninhabited.
• Although among the 20 smallest countries in the world, it is the second-most populated country, topped only by Monaco.
• The largest fountain in the world can be found in Suntec City, Singapore.