There is a lot to show to a medical traveler about Medellin

There’s a lot to show to a medical traveler about Medellin: the technology of the surgery rooms, the experienced doctors and nurses, the clinics and hospitals, the efficiency in the diagnosis. To this particular type of traveler, a park more or a park less to visit doesn’t make any difference.


The city has positioned itself in a relevant place in what is called “medical tourism”, and for some it is a life saving trip.

25 years ago, Medellin began to build a strong and noble reputation concerning itself and its doctors among those who wanted to receive dental treatment or a surgery. In the year 2000, 505 patients arrived looking for medical treatments, in 2004 that number grew to 1,000 and by 2009 the number of patients visiting the city was 4,500.

The information given by Carlos Enrique Cardenas, Medicine and Dentistry Cluster Director, reveals progress, strength and quality found by patients who decided to receive medical and dental treatments in the city. Andres Aguirre Martinez, director from the Pablo Tobon Uribe Hospital and Juan Carlos Giraldo, Services and Contractors chief from San Vicente de Paul Hospital, agreed upon the fact that Medellin has earned its reputation thanks to the great medical and scientific quality.

Aguirre assures that Medellin is a valued location with state of the art facilities and technology people believe they will find in “developed countries”. He adds that the accessibility and the choices are an asset. There are not very many cities or medical centers around the world that have all the services integrated the way Medellin does. In addition to those facts, there are no waiting lists and the time waiting for transplants is relatively short.

Giraldo also says: “Our doctors have done post-grade courses in other countries, and we are confident in our ability to provide service with the latest in technologies and have the infrastructure needed to allow our patients to stay for weeks in a friendly city”.

"Private companies are constantly investing in hospitals to improve infrastructure and acquire technology to offer more and better medical and dental services. Projects to upgrade facilities are taking place, creating 10,500 new job positions, purchasing 850 new beds and building 45 new surgery rooms”, explain Cardenas.
The San Vicente de Paul hospital is investing 100 million dollars in a new facility in Rionegro close to the international airport.

More for Less

Another fact that marks a big difference is the price. To receive a surgery or another specialized treatment costs less than in other neighboring countries that can offer the same services. In conclusion, optimal quality service and low prices complement each other in a successful formula.

The sources of this report assure that each case is different, and due to this factor they don’t find it appropriate to give an average in prices. However, Adriana Duque, Quality Control Director from Dental Clinic Promta, provides us with some information:

Orthodontic treatments have gained importance in the services offered. While in Colombia a patient pays around 1,250 US, in the States, Spain and Mexico this treatment can cost between 9,000 and 12,000 US. That means that the patients pay less even when airline tickets and recovery hotel are included.

80% of services administered in Colombia are medical and 20% dental. In 2008, foreign sales in the medical field were 3.5 million US and 6 million US in 2009. They expect the number of patients to grow by 25 % in 2010.

In Medellin everyone can be a winner and each healthy and satisfied patient is an ambassador of the city.
This article was taken from “EL COLOMBIANO” newspaper, issued on August 28/2010.