The health ministry is set to conduct the first large-scale survey on the nation’s medical infrastructure for foreign patients as part of efforts to improve services ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ministry sources said. Targeting some 4,000 hospitals and other medical facilities, the survey will assess records regarding foreigners’ past medical treatment.

As health care costs in the United States rise, an increasing number of Americans are going overseas for elective procedures, or are at least considering that possibility. In response to an article in The New York Times on Sunday about an American who went to Belgium to have his hip replaced because his insurer in the United States would not cover the procedure, hundreds of readers said they would be willing to follow that path.

In fact, Patients Beyond Borders reports Mexico now attracts more than a million patients a year, many of whom are Hispanics from California, Arizona and Texas. It’s this proximity to North America that makes Latin America’s medical tourism so attractive. Other factors include favorable exchange rates, bilingual healthcare officials, friendly cultures, tropical climates and exotic locations allowing for relaxing and scenic recovery time.

A growing tourism sector also contributes to creation of better awareness about the country in the world and helps enhance the country’s soft power.

With Malaysia making its mark as an affordable and sophisticated healthcare hub, the Health Ministry is aiming to attract more than 437,000 tourists to experience what the local healthcare industry has to offer, by bringing in significant players to galvanize its efforts.

Taiwan's private sector is trying to involve more industries in its effort to promote medical tourism, with the latest trial balloon drawing interest from a local airline, according to a local travel agency.