South Africa Inbound Medical Tourism Market Overview, 2028

South Africa is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism. Cape Town is the leading medical destination for travelers on the African continent. The legendary surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first heart transplant in Cape Town. The country offers affordable medical treatments with some of the best doctors and healthcare facilities. The best part is the healthcare system in South Africa varies from basic healthcare provided by the government to highly specialized services in both the private and public sectors. There are over 200 private hospitals and 400 public hospitals in the country. South Africa is popular for affordable cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, facelifts, tummy tucks, etc. A breast augmentation procedure that costs 8,000 USD in the UK would cost 3,600 USD in South Africa. There is a vast difference in cost, and that's why many people around the world come to South Africa. Patients will also get affordable infertility treatments in the country. The infertility treatment cost in the US is around 12,400 USD, while the patient can only pay a third of that in South Africa. Other common treatments in the South Africa area like Heart Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Dentistry, Organ transplantation, etc. Medical tourists can easily find highly-trained doctors working with state-of-the-art equipment. The doctors and surgeons have been trained at some of the best international institutes to provide the best facilities to their patients. They only use the latest technologies and equipment for the treatment and make the patient's trip as comfortable as possible.

According to the research report "South Africa Inbound Medical Tourism Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the South Africa Inbound Medical Tourism market is expected to grow at more than 21% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. South Africa provides cost-effective medical treatments as compared to other parts of the world. Besides, medical tourists are also eligible for a rebate on the 14% Value Added Tax (VAT) on all purchases and medical procedures. The reduced cost coupled with high-quality care and an amazing atmosphere make South Africa top in the game of medical tourism. Most patients travel to South Africa for medical treatment because they want to avoid long waiting times. In South Africa, waiting times for most procedures are lower than in many parts of the world. The patients can get quality and hassle-free treatment as soon as possible. They don't have to extend their trip due to long waiting times, which will also help them to save their money. Less waiting time somehow helps maintain the patient's budget in a foreign country. Medical tourists prefer South Africa because English is widely spoken in the country, and the language barrier is something patients don't have to worry about. Patients can easily find people who speak English, especially in major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Many private hospitals also provide translators for international patients so that they can communicate easily. This service bridges the language gap for better medical tourism.

The market is divided into Cancer Treatment / Oncology, Cosmetic Treatment, Orthopedics Treatment / Spine Treatment, Cardiovascular Treatment, Fertility Treatment / IVF Treatments, Neurological Treatment, Organ Transplant, Bariatric Treatment, Dental Treatment, Alternative Treatment, Ophthalmology Treatment, Other Treatments based on treatment type. South Africa boasts modern dental clinics and state-of-the-art facilities equipped with advanced technology for diagnostics, treatment planning, and dental procedures. South Africa offers a comprehensive array of dental services, including routine check-ups, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, dental implants, and restorative treatments. South Africa's medical tourism infrastructure offers support with travel arrangements, accommodations, transportation, and coordination of dental appointments for international patients. Dental treatments in South Africa can be more cost-effective compared to some Western countries, making it an appealing destination for patients seeking quality care at a more affordable price. Patients visiting South Africa for dental treatments have the opportunity to explore the country's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and tourist attractions during their visit. In addition, South Africa provides a wide range of eye care services, including routine eye exams, refractive surgeries (LASIK, PRK), cataract surgeries, glaucoma treatments, corneal transplants, and retinal surgeries. South Africa is home to highly skilled ophthalmologists, eye surgeons, and ophthalmic professionals who offer specialized and advanced eye care services. Ophthalmic professionals in South Africa frequently engage in continuing education to stay updated with the latest advancements and techniques in eye care.

The private sector often employs highly experienced and skilled healthcare professionals, including doctors, surgeons, nurses, and support staff. International patients value the expertise and professionalism of these professionals. The private segment is known for its cosmetic and aesthetic services, attracting medical tourists seeking cosmetic surgeries, beauty treatments, and aesthetic enhancements. Established private providers often have a history of serving international patients and a proven track record of successful outcomes. Positive testimonials and reviews from previous medical tourists build trust and attract new patients. Private providers can offer various payment options and accept international insurance plans, making the financial aspect of medical tourism more convenient for patients. In addition, the government could implement training programs to enhance the cultural competence and language skills of public healthcare professionals, ensuring a positive experience for medical tourists. Collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can lead to humanitarian medical missions and specialized healthcare programs that cater to the needs of underserved populations and attract medical tourists seeking impactful healthcare experiences.

Considered in this report
• Geography: South Africa
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028



Aspects covered in this report
• South Africa Inbound Medical Tourism market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Treatment Type
• Cancer Treatment / Oncology
• Cosmetic Treatment
• Orthopaedics Treatment / Spine Treatment
• Cardiovascular Treatment
• Fertility Treatment / IVF Treatments
• Neurological Treatment
• Organ Transplant
• Bariatric Treatment
• Dental Treatment
• Alternative Treatment (Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Chinese or Oriental medicine, Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine, Massage, Body movement therapies, Tai chi, Yoga, Dietary supplements, Herbal medicine, Nutrition/diet, Electromagnetic therapy, Reiki, Qigong, Meditation, Biofeedback, Hypnosis, Art, dance, and music, Visualization and guided imagery, etc.)
• Ophthalmology Treatment
• Other Treatments (Dermatological treatments, ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) treatments, Allergy and Immunology treatments, Sleep disorder treatments, Mental health and psychological treatments, Urology, diabetology, Proctology, Vascular Surgery, etc.)

By Service Providers
• Private
• Public

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Inbound Medical Tourism industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.