As healthcare costs are on average 40 percent cheaper in Puerto Rico compared to the mainland US, the island offers plenty of opportunities for treating patients, both from the mainland US as well as those from across the Caribbean region.
Many people come to Puerto Rico for complex surgeries, such as open heart, orthopaedics, dental, or plastic surgeries
José Luis Rodríguez, Hospital Pavia
Puerto Rico’s healthcare infrastructure is the best among its neighbours. Between 15,000 and 20,000 patients visit Puerto Rico every year and spend on average USD 10,000 in medical costs. Puerto Rico’s newly established Medical Tourism Corporation aims to increase that figure in the coming years.
“Many people come to Puerto Rico for complex surgeries, such as open heart, orthopaedics, dental, or plastic surgeries,” says José Luis Rodríguez, CEO of Hospital Pavia’s Santurce division. “We believe we can attract patients because we speak their language and have the same judiciary system, and these characteristics can give peace of mind for the patients. It is much better than going to another country.”
Metro Pavia, which has been operating one of the largest hospital networks in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands for 20 years, runs 12 different hospitals, each with its own specialty; such as the Santurce branch, which has expertise in cardiovascular treatments.
“Besides medical tourism we are also providing emergency services for those in need in other countries,” continues Rodríguez. “The government of Puerto Rico is betting on that and building more facilities for these patients.”
