Medtral New Zealand Addresses Surgical Risks by Providing Automatic Contingency Insurance...

Medtral New Zealand Addresses Surgical Risks by Providing Automatic Contingency Insurance for Its Patients

AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(Business Wire)--
Most medical travel agencies acknowledge the universal risk of
surgery and the devastating effects a serious adverse event can have
on a patient, but Medtral New Zealand, a health care organization
based in New Zealand (www.medtral.com) that coordinates medical travel
packages to this destination, goes a step further by offering
contingency insurance to cover the risk of major surgical
complications for patients traveling from overseas.

"International medical travelers face both travel and surgical
risks," says Edward Watson, M.D., executive chairman of Medtral New
Zealand. "Travel risks include the unknown quality of the health care
provided in an overseas hospital and by overseas doctors, and the risk
of traveling long distance by airplane with the associated effects of
dehydration and immobility. Although many medical travel companies and
prospective overseas hospitals have put in place steps to address
these risks, few have put in place steps to ensure that people
suffering a direct complication from having surgery are catered for."

Medtral's contingency insurance allows patients who experience a
major complication to receive: 60 days prolonged hospitalisation in
New Zealand, including ICU; medical and surgical treatment to help
them recuperate; and, if deemed necessary by the treating physician,
medical evacuation to the patients home country with an attending
physician or nurse.

"Managing surgical risk is one of the first issues that Medtral
New Zealand addresses," adds Watson. "While such insurance does not
reduce the universal risk of surgery, it at least provides some needed
reassurance for the patient that, regardless of the outcome, they will
be looked after."

Medtral New Zealand has emerged as one of the most affordable
options for Americans and Canadians seeking medical care and treatment
in a First World environment. They perform such procedures as total
hip joint replacement, total knee joint replacement, hip resurfacing,
coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and robotic prostatectomy. A
comprehensive list of the operations is found at www.medtral.com.

"Our first concern at Medtral New Zealand is exemplary standards
for optimal treatment and recovery," states Watson. "New Zealand has
one of the world's best health systems. The country's private
hospitals rival the best in the world, with the latest medical
facilities and excellent accommodations. Our team of medically focused
professionals is ready to assist patients with personalized attention
that helps to guide their medical travel experience, and our patients
have the added benefit of knowing that, if complications occur, they
are covered."

About Medtral New Zealand:

Medtral New Zealand is the leading provider of medical tourism in
New Zealand for North American patients, providing world-class,
non-acute care and treatment in some of the country's finest private
hospitals. Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Medtral New Zealand
can be reached at +64 9 623 6588, or visit www.medtral.com.

CPR Strategic Marketing
Rachael Fisher, 201-641-1911 x49
rfisher@cpronline.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008