GLOBAL HEALTHCARE TRAVEL COUNCIL

26 September 2025

PRESS RELEASE

7th Global Healthcare Travel Forum Brings Together Global Leaders in Medical Tourism

Chisinau, September 25-28 – The 7th edition of the Global Healthcare Travel Forum (GHTF 2025) held in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, bringing together more than 300 participants from 48 countries across the world. The event has become one of the most important international platforms for advancing dialogue, innovation, and investment in medical tourism.

“The Forum is a strategic platform for dialogue, innovation, and international cooperation, supporting a rapidly growing industry. It reflects our mission to transform tourism into a driver of understanding, respect, and progress”, stated Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova.

Over the course of five discussion panels, experts from tourism, healthcare, and emerging technologies debated the key challenges and opportunities in global medical tourism. Special emphasis was placed on the role of Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation in improving patient experience and care quality.

Highlighting the sector’s growth potential, Emin Cakmak, founder of the Global Healthcare Travel Council (GHTC), stressed: “For medical tourism in the Republic of Moldova to reach one billion euros in revenues over the next decade, the country must continue simplifying patient access, including through eVisas, while maintaining strong international promotion.”

Speakers also underscored the growing recognition of Eastern Europe as an emerging hub for medical tourism, with significant opportunities for cross-border collaboration, healthcare investment, and education. Natalia Ciobanu, President of MTAM & GHTC, emphasized that international patients are increasingly choosing Moldova “for the professionalism of its doctors and the quality of private healthcare services.”

As part of the program, international participants visited leading hospitals, clinics, and the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu“, which hosts more than 1,800 foreign students, showcasing the region’s capacity to serve international patients.

Andrei Revenco, Founder and CEO of the Medical Tourism Association of Moldova, noted: “The Forum demonstrates that the region is open to innovation and investment in medical tourism and has the potential to become a European center of excellence.”

The Forum was organized by the Medical Tourism Association of Moldova and the National Tourism Office, under the aegis of the Global Healthcare Travel Council (GHTC) and with the support of the Ministry of Culture.

GHTC General Assembly – New Presidency Elected

A key moment of GHTF 2025 was the General Assembly of the Global Healthcare Travel Council (GHTC), where members elected the next presiding country for the 2026–2028 term.

Two countries stood as candidates: Saudi Arabia and Poland. Following a closely contested secret ballot, Poland was elected by a margin of just one vote. The country will officially assume the presidency in April 2026, when the Republic of Moldova concludes its mandate.

ENDS – ####