No excuses are needed to come to Medellín. However, many travelers are finding them: the city is strengthening its vocation as one of the main Health tourism destinations in the country. This, thanks to two economic sectors that have allied for the benefit of their own and visitors. On the one hand, The tourist, which with historical levels places it as one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America for travelers around the world. And on the other hand, the doctor, who, with the incorporation of advanced technologies and specialized professionals at International level, is qualified and acquires world -class awards.
For José Alejandro González Jaramillo, Secretary of Tourism and Entertainment, “in this destination we have great professionals, large clinics and a beautiful climate that favors any process. Dentistry, ophthalmology, simple plastic surgeries that are not incapacitating, but that are not from one day to another, invite people to stay at least eight days, what else can they do, then,?
According to Cluster Medellín Health City data, in 2023 the main services acquired by visitors were diagnostic aid, clinical laboratory, plastic surgeries, ophthalmology and medical consultation: a demand for which the city is more than prepared.
“The Pablo Tobón Uribe and Interquaropanos hospital recently received the golden seal accreditation of the Joint Commission Internationalin recognition of the security and high quality of the services they provide. In addition, we have BioXcelleratorone of the strongest clinics in Latin America in stem cells, ”says Beatriz Palacio Lopera, Executive Director (CEO) of the MDE CARE Medical Agency.
For its part, the tourism sector has been qualifying with an infrastructure that seeks to offer visitors memorable experiences. Hotels, parks, cultural centers, restaurants, agencies and various companies work to continue positioning Medellín as one of the favorite destinations among travelers in the world.
An alliance that takes care of life
“We are all sitting together to make this city effort. The tourism sector has the understanding of the foreigner that the medical sector does not have, and vice versa. This union allows us to better understand the needs of this public and offer comprehensive experiences: they can come to do medical treatment and then stay knowing the city surely. This union is fantastic,” celebrates a palace, highlighting the joint work between sectors.
-From this effort, different hotels are adapting their infrastructure to receive future patients in optimal safety and comfort conditions. In addition, as Palacio points out, “we are taking advantage of the advances in bilingualism that we have achieved to accompany visitors throughout their process.”
Medellín also offers ideal conditions for a pleasant recovery, with green and calm spaces such as the Botanical Garden, the Tutelary Cerros and the Arví Park. “All this adds to the charm that the city has: its people, its climate and the perfect size for short and easy transfers that ensure better experience,” he adds.
$ 61,472 million invested international patients (in 2023) in health services, according to Cluster Medellín Health City.
The key to a good experience
The main thing is to ensure that the entity with which the health service will be hired is real and reliable. According to the specialist Palacio, “it is important to put aside the price and objectively evaluate if the institution we are considering offers safe services.”
To do this, there are certificates and accreditations that people can consult, as well as medical tourism agencies, such as MDE Care, which have the information to accompany the visitor at all stages of the process: select the entity, program virtual appointments and translate the required information. “It is not the same to visit the city for tourism than to do it for medical reasons. In the second case, the most important thing is clarity,” concludes Beatriz Palacio Lopera, Executive Director (CEO) of the MDE CARE Medical Tourism Agency.
*Content in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment of Medellín and the Bureau Medellín.
