More than a year ago, I wrote about having visited my friend, Amy, in Delhi while she was there receiving stem cell treatment for a long-misdiagnosed case of Lyme disease. Amy writes about her recovery in extensive detail at Healthcarehacks.
By the time I saw her, Amy had already been receiving treatment for just over two months in a clinic, Nu Tech Mediworld, overseen by Dr. Geeta Shroff. It was here that innovative embryonic stem cell treatments were (and still are) being administered. (The stem cells, by the way, are all extracted from one embryo acquired through an in-vitro-fertilization program.)
I heard and saw stories of miraculous proportions. Patients with spinal cord injuries were walking (with help) for the first time in years. Paraplegics had control over their bladders for the first time in 12-15 years. Amy, who had arrived at the Delhi airport in a wheelchair, debilitated by Lyme disease and with lesions on her brain, left months later running through the airport to catch her flight. After years of struggle, she had regained her balance and strength, and the lesions were shrinking.
Here are other stories of recovery:
Amanda Boxtel, a former dancer, was paralyzed in 1992 and now has limited function and feeling in her lower extremities, allowing her to build her muscles back up, do some excercies and pee (a function that she’s quite happy about!) on her own.
Rusty Leech was injured in a hunting accident in 1998 and has also reported the joy of having control of his bladder as well.
See this Youtube video about Dr. Shroff’s clinic.
Last week, President Obama made an important step toward having similar treatments available in the U.S. Specifically, he signed a bill that allows funding for stem cell research on existing lines (but not new ones). Given the power of Dr. Shroff’s one line, it’s not hard to imagine what might come of additional research and the use of the limited lines (which I believe number in the 100’s) now available. It may be years before doctors in the U.S. are able to begin helping patients but they can now move forward with their research.
Until the tide does completely turn and treatments are available in Western countries, patients will have to travel to take advantage of the forward-thinking medical opportunities currently only available abroad.
And, while some might argue that there is less oversight of procedures elsewhere, therefor making them unsafe or untested, I, for one, can’t argue with the results I saw and have since read about.
But it’s not just about progressive treatments that are unavailable in North America. The cost of medical care abroad is a fraction of the cost of that available from Western-trained doctors in other countries. With the cost of the U.S. health care industry at exorbitant levels, I can see how medical tourism will continue to boom as our economy continues to tank.
For more information, check out this May 2008 article titled Medical Leave from Fast Company Magazine. While it talks mainly about more mainstream procedures such as hip or heart surgery, it addresses the state of the U.S. insurance business and how foreign hospitals are taking full advantage of this by offering outsourcing opportunities to patients.
Whether it’s stem cell injections, knee replacement or dental procedures, medical tourism is poised to become a valuable alternative to many.
Travel Well,
Beth
Join other Wanderlusters and help make this the most popular women’s travel blog by subscribing via email or RSS feed.
Eva says
Great, thoughtful post, Beth!
Just wanted to point out, though, that it’s not really a dichotomy between “Western countries” or “North America” and elsewhere. Canada, for example, is one of the leaders in stem cell research — the past administration really isolated the US on this one.
Lauren says
I missed your first post on this, but a grateful to have caught this one. Thanks for the very informative and thoughtful post. I’ll be passing it along. -Lauren
Angela says
A great post about a very timely matter. Many folks are surprised to learn that health care in ‘developing’ countries can be high-caliber: fully-accredited providers working at top-notch facilities. India and Thailand are 2 great examples.
I also have a couple of friends who get their major dental work done overseas. Procedures are so much cheaper that it is a deal even when you factor in the airfare, and if you play your cards right, you can steal a few days of vacationing before your procedure.
jessiev says
i agree – it is incredible, the medical advances overseas. we should push for more medical development here at home. meanwhile, i am SO glad to read of your friend’s success. brava!
jlesage says
Hi, can you list some links that indicate reliable places folks can get more info. about stem cell therapy abroad? Asia, Canada? Love your site.
Beth says
The only place I’m familiar with is the one I visited in Delhi. You might try asking around on the Lonely Planet forums, where there’s lots of info on medical info around the world. Best of luck!
Taras Kuzin says
Stem cell treatments have a bright future and will play in important role in treating human diseases in this century. Having said that, there are a lot of pseudo-scientists out there. We have been contacted by several companies who claimed to have great remedies for many common ailments. We work with scientists in the U.S. to evaluate claims of potential partner clinics. One time, one of our consultant, a post doc from Harvard, told us: “if you don’t want to get sued, stay away from these charlatans!” As with anything else in this life, buyer beware! People need to do a lot of research before they go to any clinic …. even in clinics in in the U.S.