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Last Updated: Friday, 28 March 2008, 15:11 GMT


Israel courts medical tourists

By Crispin Thorold
BBC News, Jerusalem



Israel is trying to tap into a lucrative new market for tourists

Jerusalem is one of the world's great destinations - for generations people have travelled to the city to see the religious sites.

Now the government of Israel is hoping that visitors of a different kind will go to the country.

Israel is marketing itself as a hub for medical tourism.

Long waiting lists and expensive private healthcare have made medical tourism a boom industry.

Every year thousands of westerners go to countries like India for quick and cheap treatment.

Expartise

The Hadassah hospital on the outskirts of Jerusalem is a good example of the facilities and expertise that Israel has on offer.

Excellence in medical terms and cheaper treatment. That is what they will get here

Professor Jose Cohen

Among the doctors working there is Professor Jose Cohen, a neurologist who specialises in stroke patients, and came to public attention when he treated the former Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon.

"This is a very small country with incredible and amazing medical facilities," says Professor Cohen.

YISRAELDOCTORS