12
Aug 2024
Australians Cautioned About the Risks of Cosmetic Tourism
Published in News on August 12, 2024
Dr Amira Sanki, a leading plastic surgeon in Sydney, told Yahoo News that travelling abroad for plastic surgery carries significant risks.
"We have definitely seen an increase in complications from patients returning from overseas at our hospital, which is close to the airport," she said.
Complications from these surgeries can range from minor to life-threatening, according to Dr. Sanki. “For example, we had a patient who presented with a severely infected buttock fat graft, requiring multiple surgeries and extensive antibiotic therapy,” she explained. In a more alarming case, an entire family contracted hepatitis after travelling to India for dental implants.
These complications often lead to extended hospital stays, where patients require intensive care to manage infections, correct botched procedures, and ensure their recovery. The need for prolonged hospitalization adds to the physical, emotional, and financial burden that patients face after returning home.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has linked the rise in such cases to ads on TikTok, noting a “direct relationship between procedures trending on TikTok and what patients are seeking in clinics.” Dr Sanki emphasized that social media advertising drives the surge in medical tourism, particularly since Australian practices face stricter advertising regulations.
According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, “Surgeons based overseas have no restrictions on how they advertise. This means their adverts may appear more glamorous or show impressive results, but they may not be as realistic.”
In the UK, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported a 44 percent increase in corrective surgeries in 2021 compared to the previous year, when travel was restricted due to COVID-19. The NHS has also seen a noticeable increase in people requiring emergency care following botched surgeries abroad.
Australians frequently travel overseas for procedures such as butt lifts, breast augmentation, dental implants, liposuction, facelifts, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery, and nose reshaping.
The global medical tourism market was valued at USD 24.14 billion (AUD 36.6 billion) in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 29.26 billion in 2024, with an expected value of USD 137.71 billion by 2032.
![A Medicare bulk-billed urgent care clinic, established by the federal government to help reduce emergency department pressures, has unexpectedly closed in Bundaberg, Queensland, less than a year after opening. Located 400 kilometres north of Brisbane, this clinic was one of 75 launched across Australia since June 2023 to redirect non-life-threatening cases away from hospitals, allow emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.
Since its opening in November last year, the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has provided care to hundreds of patients. However, it unexpectedly closed its doors on October 22, with plans to reopen a week later. A sign now indicates that it is "closed until further notice." This makes the Bundaberg UCC the only one of its kind in Australia to shut down.
Patient Sue Hackett expressed her surprise upon arriving at the clinic on Tuesday when she found it closed. “I looked on the website, and it actually showed it was open... I've come here assuming they're open,” Ms. Hackett said.
Julie Sturgess, chief executive of the region's public health network Country to Coast, told the ABC that she could not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind the abrupt closure of the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic. “There are ongoing negotiations with the provider of that service,” Ms. Sturgess stated.
In response to the closure, a free phone service called Connect2Care has been established, allowing callers to speak with a registered nurse for their urgent care needs. “If further care is required, such as seeing a GP, we can organize an appointment either with your regular GP or a phone or video consultation with an online GP through that service,” Ms. Sturgess explained.
Additionally, some GP practices in Bundaberg are extending their hours to accommodate extra appointments. The Bundaberg UCC was operated by the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC), a non-profit Aboriginal-controlled health organization that serves the entire community. The IWC has declined to comment on the closure.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler informed the ABC that services at the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic are expected to resume shortly.
The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the viability of the federal government's urgent care clinic program. AMAQ President Nick Yim emphasized that these clinics often duplicate services already provided by GP clinics. “We believe the federal funding for these clinics would be better invested in existing general practices around the state,” Dr. Yim stated.
Sue Hackett shared that she was able to secure a same-day appointment at a GP clinic, but it would come at a cost. “I just want to go to a place where I can get sorted with my medical condition, plus I don’t have to pay,” she expressed, highlighting the challenges many face in accessing affordable healthcare.
Tim Spargo, the owner of the pharmacy located next to the Urgent Care Clinic, emphasized the critical role the clinic has played in the community. He noted that when travellers forgot their chronic condition medications or prescriptions, he could direct them to the UCC for assistance. “In the 11 months that it's been open, it has really served a vital purpose … it has taken that pressure off [emergency departments],” Mr. Spargo stated, expressing the urgent need for such services in the area.
"What's clear is that federal Labor is unable to deliver on their commitments, and the people of Bundaberg and the surrounding district, who desperately need additional services, have been let down," he said. "No matter who you talk to, whether it's the GPs themselves or others, they are just overrun with work, and what should be a godsend is now closed."
In response, Mr Butler reiterated that patients can still receive assistance through the phone line, which will "help ensure the Bundaberg community's urgent care needs continue to be met."
Meanwhile, newly elected Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has pledged an additional half a billion dollars to reduce ramping across the state to below 30 per cent over the next four years. Queensland Health data from April to June this year indicates that 44.7 per cent of patients were not transferred off ambulance stretchers within 30 minutes. This issue is particularly pressing for Bundaberg Hospital, which has been struggling with high demand and limited resources. Crisafulli also promised to recruit 34,200 additional health workers by 2032.](https://c3eeedc15c0611d84c18-6d9497f165d09befa49b878e755ba3c4.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.com/photos/blogs/article-832-1730723697.jpg "Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic Closes Abruptly, Leaving Patients in Uncertainty")
