South African Travel Articles

Surgery Tours - South Africa   by Elsabe Brits

Cape Town - First-World medical services at Third-World prices - how could foreigners resist such an offer to improve their appearance or have a baby? 

The cosmetic and medical ''tours'' foreigners take to South Africa are growing annually at a phenomenal rate. 

The country in general and Cape Town in particular are widely advertised on the internet as the cosmetic and medical capital of the world, where foreigners who can pay for it, can undergo nearly every procedure under the sun. In addition, accommodation, air tickets, consultations with doctors, even a car and driver are arranged for the patients, and a tour after the procedure. 

Fertility treatment at a bargain price 

Not only are the cosmetic procedures sought after, but fertility treatment here is also considerably cheaper than in Britain, America and in the rest of Africa. 

Cape Doctor Health and Tours owner Ruby Khan said fertility treatment had the highest popularity among medical tourists. People paid between R16000 and R22000 for treatment and this did not include the other expenses. She said the procedure was far more expensive overseas. 

Second in popularity were a variety of cosmetic treatments. Her business had increased by 12,5% in the past year. ''The most important aspect is the anonymity we offer,'' Khan said. 

Ingrid Lomas also said the anonymity was important. ''People come to South Africa, undergo a procedure, have a holiday and return home looking ten years younger.'' 

Her clinic had between 17 and 20 foreigners a month last year, compared with about 10 a month in 2004. She ascribes this success to the good exchange rate, doctors and the climate. 

She mentioned that famous foreigners and locals had come to Surgical Attractions, but she would not give their names. 

Dramatic growth in industry 

Mediscapes marketing manager in Cape Town Deanne Ordway said in 2004 they had about seven overseas clients a month and last year there was an average of between 10 and 15. In December there were 25. 

''The industry is not seasonal either; people continually visit us. It has grown dramatically,'' she said. 

She added that the procedures they offered which where not only cosmetic but also medical, were as much as 70% cheaper than abroad. 

Those concerned believe the patients get good service and value for money, hence the growth in the industry. 

Dr Marius van der Merwe of Rejuvenate Aesthetic Clinic in Cape Town said their procedures were non-surgical. Many people visited top hotels and spas and in this way heard about the procedures they offered. Between 20% and 30% of his clients were foreigners.