Health Traveler
Definite Guide to Medical Tourism

Medical Tourism Destinations - Brazil

Long known around the world as a destination for plastic surgery, Brazil is rapidly becoming the nation of choice for all types of medical tourism in the Western Hemisphere. With over 200,000 certified physicians and 16,000 medical facilities only the United States is larger in the scope of healthcare available to its citizens and those who chose it as their destination for health travel. This vast country offers some of the superior medical care and affordable costs making it a global leader in health care.

Brazil healthcare system

The best in Latin America, Brazil is second only to the United States in the health facilities accredited by the Joint Commission International. Other regulatory agencies that ensure the quality of the country's health care include the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Brazilian Hospital Medical Quality Organization (ONA), the Consortium of Brazilian Accreditation, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the Canadian Council on Health Services (CCHSA).

With many of Brazil's physicians having been trained in the US and strict certification standards, medical tourists can expect world-class treatment. Graduating medical students in Brazil are required to be a part of a supervised medical residency for a length of time determined by the specialized practice they plan on entering. The Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine (Conselho Federal de Medicina) is the professional regulatory and licensing body for medicine in Brazil and it oversees the board of medical examiners all physicians must be approved by before being certified for their specialty. Any physician you consult in the country should be approved for their specialty of medical care by the Brazilian Medical Association (Associação Médica Brasileira) and the Sociedade Brasileira de Clínica Médica.

• Cosmetic Surgery – Brazil has a long-established reputation for offering some of the best cosmetic surgeons in the world. The majority were trained in the Unites States with most being certified by either the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
• Orthopedic Surgery – With many orthopedic surgeries being considered elective by insurance companies and the general low cost of health care in Brazil, the country is also known as a great tourist destination for all kinds of join replacement. Since knee and hip replacements often require extended therapy time what better place could there be to recuperate than in sunny Brazil?

About 40% of the hospitals in Brazil are public with the rest either being non-profit or for-profit. The great majority of urban Brazilian citizens use privately-owned health facilities and medical tourists are strongly advised to use these privately run hospitals and health care clinics.

The Country

A major factor in choosing a destination for the medical tourist is, of course, the locale. Named after the Brazil tree, Brazil is the most populate country in South America. With a population approaching 200 million it is an immense and diverse land marked by huge tracts of agricultural land, rain forests, and modern cities that rival any in the world. Over half of the country is of European descent with settlers having come from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. A large segment of the population is of mixed African and European ancestry and less than 1 percent are original Brazilians.

Serving a Portuguese colony for over 300 years the nation shares many traditions with Portugal. It is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in Latin America and has more Catholics that any other country in the world. With the exception of a few native languages in remote areas Portuguese is the language of the country. Physicians, however, have been mostly educated in the United States and speak English fluently. This helps eliminate any potential language barriers for those visiting the country for medical care. Some of the factors that make Brazil such an attractive destination for health travel include:

• Cost – Over the last few years Brazil's currency has been devalued against the dollar driving costs down for some of the best health care one can find anywhere. Lost cost in Brazil does not mean low quality!
• Culture and Setting – With a number of specialty hospitals, Porto Alegre is one of the country's best known cities. The city is world renowned for its nightlife, modern shopping malls, and barbeques. Another big draw in Brazil is its beaches. Wealthy patrons have been drawn to the country for years because of the privacy offered there and Rio's famous beaches. With current currency rates, a destination once reserved for the rich and famous is now accessible to a much larger segment of tourists.
• Accessibility – Brazil can be reached with 8 to 12 hours from any city in North America making it a reasonably short trip to reach. Visitors from the United States will need to obtain a visa before entering the country. The largest airport in Brazil is São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport with direct connections to Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston and Toronto. The next largest airport is Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport with direct connections to Atlanta, and New York, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
• Cuisine – Churrasco or Brazilian barbeque has become known outside the country. It is usually marked by all-you-can east establishments where waiters bring enormous cuts of meat on steel spits to your table and carve off slices onto your plate. Churrasco restaurants are generally inexpensive in the southern part of Brazil but do be aware they can be much more expensive in the north and central areas. Sāo Paulo is also known for its pizza. The cheese used is yellow and has a stronger taste that most American are used to. And there is enough fast food to make you feel like you never left the States. One can find a Bob's almost anywhere in Brazil.

There are some seasons you need to be aware of when planning your travel. The busiest months of the year are December and January, Carnival (February or March), and Holy Week. In the coastal cities of Rio and Salvador prices zoom off the charts with hotels requiring advance reservations of no less than three days.

Your trip will be much more pleasant if you remember a few cultural distinctive of Brazil. By nature Brazilians are very open, love to dance and party, and are very verbal about political corruption. Enjoy the dancing and fun but leave the political discussions to the locals as it can be seen as insensitive for non-citizens to criticize the country. You should be aware that racism is taken very seriously and is considered a crime for which no bail will be available. In other words, treat them with the same respect you would anticipate from someone visiting you. If you are thinking about seeking treatment abroad, take a look at Brazil. With its superior medical facilities, low cost, and diverse culture, Brazil is a definite consideration for anyone looking for a place to take care of their medical needs and enjoy a few days of rest and fun as well.