According to a new report from Frost & Sullivan “Technology Trends in Cosmetic Procedures”, Brazil is a destination for global cosmetical companies and therapeutic equipment manufacturers to promote their products, as cosmetic procedures are poised to grow exponentially. Frost & Sullivan research estimates there is a demand for cosmetic surgery in a country that has created a reputation for procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and buttock augmentation. The Brazilian Government offers lower tax rates and tax deductions for cosmetic surgery as a means of facing the global recession.
Medical tourism is set to grow globally because of innovative cosmetic procedures. The demand for non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as radio frequency and laser-based methods are increasing. However, with malpractice insurance driving up costs and health insurance not paying for cosmetic procedures, customers in western countries such as the USA and Europe are looking for economical alternatives in South America.
With regard to technology, more hybrid lasing techniques such as Triactive+, VelaShape, MedSculpt and MedContour are poised to dominate the cosmetic procedures market. High-intensity pulsed light is gaining more popularity and is accepted widely as a non-ablative alternative to microdermabrasion, chemical peel and laser resurfacing. Epidermal leveling is a relatively new procedure that offers benefits when combined with chemical peels and lasers. Among the existing dermal fillers, commercial fillers that mix hyaluronic acid and lidocaine reduce pain before and after the procedure with adoption increasing globally. Other fillers such as polymethlymethacrylate (PMMA) have proven to be long-lasting injectable microimplants for subdermal augmentation.
Guyana’s president Bharrat Jagdeo says his government has secured an $18 million line of credit from India to build a new specialist surgical hospital in the South American country. The new hospital will offer specialized procedures such as organ transplants and cosmetic surgery to medical tourists looking for inexpensive medical care abroad, a practice known as medical tourism. Construction will start this year and end in early 2014. An Indian company will build the hospital and Indian medical specialists will operate it.
Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran adds, “A specialist surgical hospital will be a symbol of the country’s future. This will position Guyana in an advanced stance ahead of many Caribbean countries. This move will see not only Guyanese resident in Guyana, but Guyanese in the Diaspora and non-nationals coming to enjoy an international standard service while at the same time doing so at a facility that is located in a good environment. Plans are apace to promote the concept of health tourism.”
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh reveals that over $1billion has been budgeted for the construction and maintenance of health sector buildings and infrastructure nationwide, including $150M to begin this 150-bed surgical specialty hospital offering invasive cardiology and radiation oncology.
Source : International Medical Travel Journal