Dominican Republic ranks third in Caribbean for medical tourism to Medellín

In 2024, the Dominican Republic became the third-largest Caribbean country sending patients to Medellín, Colombia, for medical tourism, drawn by the city’s high-quality specialized healthcare. According to the International Patient Care report by the Medellín Health City Cluster, 125 Dominicans traveled there for services such as diagnostics, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and lab testing. Only Curaçao (1,344) and Aruba (1,019) sent more Caribbean patients.

Overall, Medellín treated 23,323 international patients in 2024—an all-time high since tracking began in 2010—averaging 64 patients per day. The city attracted people from a wide range of countries, with most patients coming from the U.S. (3,859), followed by Colombia, Caribbean nations, the Netherlands, and Panama. The largest age groups were between 30 and 60 years old, indicating strong demand for midlife and preventative care services.

The healthcare sector in Medellín generated over 64 billion Colombian pesos in revenue in 2024, with an economic impact of nearly 45.5 billion pesos. More than 65% of services were paid privately. Beyond healthcare, tourism-related industries such as lodging, food, and transport also saw significant benefits. The Medellín Health City Cluster, active for 16 years, aims to position the city as a regional leader in medical tourism while also addressing broader health and social inclusion challenges.

Source: Dominican Today