Destination Germany

Within Germany, the health care system is like a nagging back-ache that won't go away. Everyone complains, but no one ever does anything about it.

But in fact, everyone else seems to think that German health care is blooming -- and more and more patients are coming here from abroad for a piece of the pie.

According to Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health Foundation, 50,000 foreign patients sought treatment in Germany in 2001, staying an average 10 days, spending approximately 250 euros ($317) per day and generating a total turnover of 125 million euros.

The relationship is a mutually beneficial one insofar as clinics are not required to factor treatment of foreign patients into their annual budget. It's a win-win situation for all concerned, and makes these profitable patients from abroad a coveted clientele to local hospitals.

Why does it happen?

But before Germany starts patting itself on the back, it should take a closer look at why these patients come. It's not always just because Germany is such an attractive prospect.

The bulk of foreign patients end up in German hospitals for the banal reason that they're in the country on holiday or business and fall unexpectedly ill. Others, however, are fleeing long waiting lists such as those in Britain, while many come either from neighboring countries or places where medical care is too costly -- as in the US.

"In the US, operations are four to five times are expensive as they are in Germany," Steller said. US insurance companies will therefore take over the entire costs of a trip to a German clinic, while other patients head to the continent because they can't afford treatment back home.

"A question of organization"

It's an altogether different story in Russia -- where up to 15 million people can theoretically afford treatment but simply can't get it. Medical services are in such a state of disrepair, that those with the financial means prefer to make the trip to Germany.

The Gulf states, meanwhile, tend to buy state-of-the-art equipment but lack trained professionals. Well-heeled patients can expect to be flown overseas. Before Sept. 11, the most common destination was the US, but heightened security now makes it less likely they will be granted visas and Germany has proved to be an efficient alternative.

Experts say up to 10,000 Arab patients are treated in Germany every year, and they don't just top up hospital coffers. They often bring their families with them and frequently take the opportunity for a full-blown vacation, spending generously on accommodation, shopping and sight-seeing in the process.

"Arab states will be sending patients abroad for at least another 10 years," Steller said, adding that Germany should wake up and smell the coffee -- and maximize these visitors' consumer potential.

"It's all just a question of organization," he said.