Colombia, a nation primarily located in South America with insular regions in North America, bathed by the Catibbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, a very captivating destination for many thanks to its rich cultural and historical heritage, biodiversity and a large fan of options in different tourism segments with numerous captivating products and proposals is also establishing itself as a leading destination in Medical Tourism with a model based on hospitality and well-being.
Medical tourism involves traveling across international borders to receive medical treatment. This practice is often driven by factors like cost differences, access to specialized treatments, and the desire for shorter wait times with patients may travel to countries known for their expertise in specific medical areas or to access treatments not available in their home country.
Experts project that by 2032, Colombia could attract up to 2.8 million medical tourists and generate direct revenues of more than $6.300 million.
Within the health care processes in the South American country, hospitality and well - being have become fundamental pillars of society, which is why Club Ilar is positioned as an innovative business model that integrated solid values with care.
The Idea to create all that arose from the Friends of Health Foundation, a local or regional fundraising or support group that works to improve healthcare within a concrete area or for a specific cause and they may support local hospitals, clinics, or specific programs, and often organize events and solicit donations to fund these initiatives.
This initiative in Colombia has evolved from a humble shelter in Chapinero, a neighborhood of Bogotá located in the north east of the Colombian capital, and in a step by step becoming a comprehensive business ecosystem that encompasses within medical tourism also complementary services, and aministrative services solutions.
This site in the Colombian capital marked the beginning of an initiative that went beyond traditional medicine and care continuing with the aim of providing comfortable and safe spaces where the health service can be provided efficiently.
In this way they created type of strategy of containment and emotional support environment, making the beneficiaries feel at home, even in a big city like Bogotá.
This strategic plan combines high – quality medical services with accommodation, well - being and also emotional support, a model which has driven the sustained growth of health tourism, with an annual increase of 8% between 2017 and 2023.
Companies with extensive experience in both sectors have understood the changing trends and needs of patients, successfully adapting to a constantly evolving market and this initiative is one of them.
In addition The Friends of Health Foundation expanded its social mission and had the idea of strengthening medical tourism in the country began to cater to patients from vulnerable regions such as Arauca, Boyacá and Casanare, where the failure of medical infrastructure caused many lives to be lost due to the impossibility of receiving care timely.
Club Ilar with its consolidation assured that they have been able to effectlvely address marking changes, positioning themselves as a key player in this growing trend that is taking place in Colombia.
The idea or a business model with its evolution and a transformation to project medical tourism in Colombia arose in an adapted school with 24 rooms, and in a short time it became a point of reference in the care of patients with complex needs.
As they grew, they managed to establish strategic alliance with EPS and territorial entities, which allowed them to expand the service to six shelters and modernize administrative processes to facilitate access to treatmnent.
The Ilar ecosystem continues with the legacy of care and accompaniment, now with its own network of more than 500 rooms, serving more than 1.000 users daily and in addition it offers a wide range of complementary services designed to respond to the needs of patients.
Some of its most important services apart medical care are tailor - made food, providing more than 20.000 breakfast, lunches and dinners per month in wellness centres of Bogotá, Cali and Medellin and specialized transportation and they also offer technological tools to optimize processes.
With growth in between, this strategy is part of a robust business ecosystem that comprehensively brings together health services, medical tourism, investments and administrative services operations.
Club Ilar in addition is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, demonstrating that it is possible to balance profitability with a positive impact on the community.
In focus on the "silver economy" and care across the lifespan reinforces its commitment to serving different age groups and emerging needs.
The entity said that the transformation of the original foundation into a comprehensive busness model has not only demonstrated the viability of a proposal based on well – being and operational excellence, but also opens the door to new opportunities in medical tourism and asset management.
Link - https://www.elcolombiano.com/tendencias/colombia-lidera-turismo-medico-con-modelo-basado-entre-hospitalidad-y-bienestar-los-puntos-mas-importantes-FD27065606