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Why diaspora communities in Australia opt for surgery in China and Taiwan

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

ABC News article about medical tourism for overseas surgery

 

Subject

Medical tourism

Patient Safety

Period22 Aug 2025

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleWhy diaspora communities in Australia opt for surgery in China and Taiwan
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletABC News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date22/08/25
    DescriptionMiko Li has lived in Sydney for over a decade, but when her general practitioner told her she needed surgery to remove a benign tumour on her shoulder, she decided to fly to China....
    "Our quality assurance and accreditation systems are designed to keep Australian healthcare safe — for medical tourists, the risk falls to you as an individual," said Professor Mark Morgan from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
    Ms Li and Lily also paid for comprehensive health package tests in China...

    They both said they liked that all the tests and results were done within hours but had some concerns with the system...

    Professor Morgan agreed that getting more tests was not always beneficial.

    "There is a cost to someone for every test — and an environmental cost — so [it's important to start] with simple tests to investigate likely causes and rule out important or dangerous ones," he said.

    Professor Morgan conceded there were delays, inconveniences and "clunkiness" in Australia's system.

    However, he said the GP's role in coordinating and explaining treatments to patients, and helping them access appropriate care had produced great results.

    "GPs help interpret tests and share decisions about subsequent tests," he added.
    Producer/AuthorIris Zhao
    URLhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/medical-tourists-head-to-china-and-taiwan-to-save-money/105655892
    PersonsMark Morgan