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Safeguarding

Medical tourism through the ages

02 January 2025
Comment
02 January 2025
Volume 2 · Issue 1

Abstract

Travelling to seek healthcare is a very ancient practice, which has evolved into a multi-billion-pound industry. Dr George Guiton, Fiona Finlay and Liz Plastow explore its history and discuss the potential implications for children today

Child medical tourism is ‘the bi-directional movement of children to and from a country to seek advice, diagnosis and treatments’ (Hamlyn-Williams et al, 2015).

Although it is not known how many children are involved in medical tourism (Hamlyn-Williams et al, 2015), adult medical tourism is a multi-billion-pound industry, with an estimated five million people travelling across international borders each year for medical treatment (Hanefeld, 2014). However, seeking health treatment abroad is not a new phenomenon – the ill, infirm and injured have travelled considerable distances in search of a cure for their ailments since ancient times.

Studies of ancient cultures depict a strong link between religion and healthcare dating back thousands of years, with people travelling long distances to visit renowned healers and therapeutic sites. The Sumerians (4000 BC) built the earliest known health complexes around hot springs, with majestic temples and flowing pools (Health Tourism, 2024).

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