The experiences of medical travellers from the Maldives
Understanding medical travel from a source country perspective: the experiences of medical travellers from the Maldives
The resolution adopted in 2006 by WHO on international trade and health urges Member States to understand the implications of international trade and trade agreements for health and to address any challenges arising through policies and regulations. This study contributes to a small body of knowledge that aims to improve governance mechanisms in medical travel by describing the motivations and experiences of medical travellers from a source country perspective. Two questionnaires were administered in a cross-sectional study of 815 medical travellers from the Maldives. Among the five most visited hospitals in this study, none were JCI accredited at the time of the study period and only three from India had undergone national accreditation by the National accreditation Board for hospitals (NABH) in India. Satisfaction with treatment received was high amongst travellers, but concern for the continuity of care was very high, and more than a third of the patients have experienced complications arising from the treatment overseas. Findings from this study contribute to understanding the areas in need of better governance in the medical travel industry, which can be achieved through bilateral and regional coordination of medical travel.
Mariyam Suzana is a researcher from the Maldives who recently completed her PhD in epidemiology under the Anne Mills fellowship. Based in GHD for the past five months to gain research exposure, she has worked at the Ministry of Health, Maldives in the areas of health finance and international health for over eight years. Her research interests are in medical travel and trade of health services.
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