With the rising costs of medical care worldwide, a lot of people are looking for alternatives to help them get needed health care at a lower price. While not by any means a new phenomenon, medical tourism has proven to be an intriguing option for those who need high-quality health care at a fraction of the price. Many countries now actively participate in medical tourism, and some of them offer a very compelling combination of competence and affordability.

Here is a list of the top 5 medical tourism destinations in the world.

1. India

Considered as one of the epicenters of modern medical tourism, India remains to be one of the most popular destinations for getting medical treatment overseas. The value of this industry in India is worth over $4 billion, so don’t expect this trend to stop anytime soon. Furthermore, this trend is expected to become much stronger, with cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and many more boasting world-class health care.

The quality of Indian doctors is top notch, capable of rivaling some of the best the world has to offer. However, the main selling point of India as a top destination for medical tourism is still its price. Certain procedures such as heart valve replacement can be availed in India at a price less than half of what is expected to be paid if the procedure is done in a first-world country. Medical tourism in India is big business, and its further rise is not expected to stop anytime soon.

2. UAE

The United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s fastest-rising countries. A nation that is in the cusp of first-world prosperity, the country has leveraged its most important export, oil, into creating a country that have qualities expected from a world-class destination. Not many may think of it as a health care hotbed, but UAE is considered worldwide as one of the hottest destinations to get health care treatment for a wide range of health problems.

So why should you take medical tourism in UAE seriously if you are someone looking to get treatment for some form of disease? UAE’s state-of-the-art infrastructure extends to its hospitals, which means those who will seek medical care in the Emirates are sure to experience world-class facilities. Beyond this, medical practitioners in this country are highly skilled. Both locals and expatriates join forces to create a medical workforce that can rival the best the world has to offer.

3. Thailand

Thailand is fast becoming one of the go-to places for medical tourism. It may not jump out at first as a destination where you should get medical treatment overseas, but Thailand actually boasts some of the best traits people are looking for when they are searching for a medical tourism destination. More than just a country where you can get quality health care at a low price, Thailand is also a legitimate tourist destination that has something for everyone.

Medical tourism in Thailand is booming for a wide range of reasons. As mentioned earlier, the quality of their health care has vastly improved, with both their hospitals and medical staff now at par with the standards of the rest of the world. At the same time, Thailand also boasts of one of the best alternative medicine and therapy systems out there. If you plan to get some much-needed medical care, enjoy the best facilities your money can buy, and get it at a much lower price, then Thailand is a destination to consider.

4. Malaysia

A nation that is on the cusp of becoming one of Asia’s elite economies, Malaysia is also fast becoming one of the go-to destinations for people who are in need of high-quality medical services. This charming southeast Asian country now boasts of some of the most advanced health care facilities in the region, with both hospitals and manpower at par with global standards. Making things even better is that the costs of availing such services is much lower compared to other countries.

Beyond receiving high-quality care at a discount, medical tourism in Malaysia is also booming for other reasons. For one, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. There are so many places to visit that you (depending on your health condition) and the rest of your companions have a lot of destinations to choose from. Also, Malaysians are very courteous people, and their English skills are strong enough that language gap won’t be a problem.

5. Brazil

One of the most charming countries in the world, Brazil has all kinds of natural wonders (just look at those beaches!) that make it such a compelling place to visit. However, it is also now starting to become known as a popular destination for people who are looking to comply to their medical needs. Fast becoming one of the favorite destinations for people in need of medical care, Brazil is a legit medical tourism destination.

So what are the reasons why medical tourism in Brazil is booming? For one, their health care facilities are fast becoming among the best in the world, with both manpower and facilities matching global standards. In addition to this, the price of medical care is much lower here compared to other countries. For instance, the cost of getting surgery in Brazil is 30-50% lower than the cost of getting such surgery in America. No wonder people are flocking to Brazil for their health care needs.

Those are 5 of the best medical tourism destinations in the world today. You cannot go wrong in choosing any of these countries to get your health care needs.