Have you heard of medical tourism? This is a type of tourism that has become established over the years in Southern Hemisphere countries. In 2021, Latin America ranked as the fourth region with the highest participation in global sales in this sector, which includes medical treatments, evaluations, diagnoses, surgeries, and rehabilitation processes, according to ProColombia.

Colombia, in particular, welcomes more than 50,000 foreign visitors annually seeking medical procedures. In 2021, the medical tourism sector in the country was valued at $473.10 billion, and it is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2026. This projection is due to the sector’s growth in recent years, with the country offering the necessary technology for any procedure but at lower costs compared to other markets.

The capital of Valle del Cauca stands out as the second city in the country for receiving foreigners for medical procedures. In 2022, it received over 2,927 health tourists. This is attributed to its medical infrastructure, which includes around 40 clinics, 8 ophthalmology clinics, 265 cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic clinics, and approximately 180 aesthetic centers, as well as numerous renowned hospitals, according to data from the Cali Mayor’s Office.

Additionally, the Cali Chamber of Commerce and its Clusters initiative feature the Clinical Excellence Cluster, which brings together companies related to the production of goods and the provision of specialized clinical and medical services with high-quality standards in Valle del Cauca. This cluster includes over 400 companies in various business segments, fostering synergy among healthcare professionals, allowing for the exchange of ideas and continuous improvement of medical care in the region.

Among the clinics, the work of Clínica Imbanaco is noteworthy. It holds the Joint Commission International’s Gold Seal of Approval, the highest distinction in healthcare quality worldwide, being the first healthcare institution in southwestern Colombia to receive it and the fifth nationwide.

Similarly, Fundación Valle del Lili, located in the capital of Valle del Cauca, is the only clinic in Colombia within the world’s top 250, making it the best-positioned in the country and the fourth in Latin America. It is also the second-best university hospital in Latin America and the 32nd globally, according to the recent ranking by consulting firm Brand Finance.

This extensive hospital infrastructure has positioned us as a global medical reference, allowing the Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico to host major medical events such as the National Ophthalmology Congress, the 17th Endocrinology Congress, the XI Latin American Congress of Internal Medicine, the Pharmacology Seminar in Bodybuilding and Fitness, and the 3rd Clinical Excellence Symposium. In the near future, we will have the honor of hosting the XXII International Course on Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, among others.

Valle del Cauca is a region with the ideal medical, hotel, and cultural infrastructure for holding large medical events. Additionally, our strategic location facilitates the attendance of healthcare professionals from across the country and abroad.

At the Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico, we continue to work towards attracting more medical events that leave a legacy for the professional and academic community while boosting the tourism chain in our region.

References:

• Fundación Valle del Lili, located in the south of Cali with 40 years of experience. Av. Simón Bolívar Cra 98 No. 18 – 49.
• Imbanaco, located in the Santa Isabel neighborhood, Cra. 38 Bis #5B2-04, with 44 years of operation.