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Going abroad for —

Advanced Imaging Quality

CT, MRI, PET-CT capabilities and quality

The country comparison

Which countries are best for advanced imaging quality

The destinations ranked high→low under this lens — each with the reasoning behind its score, the cited evidence one click down, and its full report. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

19 / 19 Countries ranked

Researched and assessed by the Epidaurus editorial pipeline against our published scale. A country below the rule is not yet assessed enough — never ranked last.

  1. 1 United States US 5.0/5 Good The United States demonstrates world-leading advanced imaging quality across all modalities with exceptional infrastructure and equipment standards. CT technology spans from widely available 64-slice systems to cuttin... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • CT infrastructure includes 640-slice Aquilion ONE ViSION scanners at leading institutions with 80% dose reduction compared to 64-slice systems, plus widespread dual-energy and spectral CT technologies
    • 7T MRI systems cleared for clinical use with fewer than 10 achieving ACR accreditation; 3T MRI deployment growing with comprehensive advanced sequences at major academic centers
    • PET-CT market valued at $864 million (2023), growing to $1.07 billion (2033), with cutting-edge technology like Mayo Clinic's Biograph Vision Quadra scanner offering ultrafast imaging capabilities
    • Equipment quality dominated by leading manufacturers with 89.5% global market share held by top five vendors in North America
    • FDA regulatory oversight since 1968, universal DICOM/PACS implementation, and ACR gold-standard accreditation comprising 34,000 physicians ensure comprehensive quality assurance
    • Dedicated medical tourism services with bilingual coordinators and 25% of US physicians being internationally trained IMGs, enabling specialized services for international patients

    Read the full United States report →

  2. 2 Japan JP 5.0/5 Good Japan demonstrates world-leading advanced imaging infrastructure across all measured dimensions. The country operates 116 CT scanners and 60 MRI units per million population (highest OECD densities), with 76.2% dual-e... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • CT Infrastructure: 116 CT scanners per million population (highest OECD); 76.2% of hospitals operate dual-energy CT; Canon Ultimion photon-counting CT launched April 2026 in clinical deployment
    • MRI Infrastructure: 60 MRI units per million population (highest OECD); 7T research systems present; comprehensive advanced sequences available; 3T adoption growing in major metropolitan centers
    • PET-CT Access: 412 PET centers as of 2022; 122 with in-house cyclotrons; 610,497 annual FDG-PET examinations; expanding radiotracer capabilities (99mTc-PYP added to DRL 2025)
    • Equipment Quality & Standards: Leading manufacturers (Canon, Siemens, GE, Philips, Fujifilm) dominate; mandatory equipment upgrade cycles; J-MID cloud-based DICOM repository with 543+ million standardized images; mature DRL program (2015, 2020, 2025); full CE marking/PMDA compliance
    • Medical Tourism Integration: 45 JMIP-accredited hospitals; multiple JCI facilities; Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh (20 min from Narita) offers coordinated PET-CT/320-slice CT/3T MRI pathways with international reporting

    Read the full Japan report →

  3. 3 Singapore SG 5.0/5 Good Singapore demonstrates exceptional advanced imaging capabilities across all six scoring dimensions, exceeding Score 5 requirements. The country operates two Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting dual-source CT systems... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Two Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting dual-source CT systems installed at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (first in Southeast Asia, private) and Sengkang General Hospital (first public hospital in Southeast Asia, operational Nov 2024), representing the most advanced CT technology globally
    • Multiple 3T MRI systems across SGH, NUH, TTSH, and Sengkang General Hospital with advanced sequences including fMRI, DTI, diffusion kurtosis imaging, myelin water imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging; 7T Bruker research system at NUS and simultaneous PET-MRI (Siemens Biograph mMR) at Mount Elizabeth Novena and Gleneagles
    • Singapore General Hospital operates the first hospital-based cyclotron in Southeast Asia (installed 2003), performing 17,000+ PET-CT scans annually with synthesis of 8+ specialized radiotracers (Ga-68 PSMA, Ga-68 DOTATATE, F-18 Flutemetamol, Ga-68 FAPI, and others); RadLink and ATA Medical provide additional PET-CT centers with cyclotron capabilities
    • All imaging equipment regulated by Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prior to installation; radiographers registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) since 2016; all radiology centres implement formal Quality Management Systems; systematic DICOM-based dose tracking with air kerma-area product meters in all digital radiography rooms; 6-year image quality audit programme presented at European Congress of Radiology 2024
    • Singapore ranks second globally in the Medical Tourism Index, hosts 23 JCI-accredited hospitals, welcomed 646,000 international patients in 2024, and provides dedicated international patient services with English-language reporting, rapid private-sector access, and integration with oncology and surgical planning pathways

    Read the full Singapore report →

  4. 4 Germany DE 5.0/5 Good Germany operates one of the world's most advanced imaging ecosystems, with ~3,000 CT scanners (36 per million), 7T clinical MRI systems at Charité Berlin and other flagship centers, and ~160 PET centers offering diver... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • ~3,000 CT scanners nationally with widespread multi-slice (64-512 slice) and photon-counting CT at University Hospital Freiburg and Charité—photon-counting CT represents frontier technology
    • ~35 MRI units per million population with multiple 3T systems at major centers and 7T clinical MRI operational at Charité Berlin's B.U.F.F. facility
    • ~160 PET centers with ~60 devices (50 PET/CT, 10 PET/MRI) offering FDG (75%), PSMA (17%), somatostatin (8%), amino acid (3%), and amyloid (2%) tracers
    • Siemens Healthineers (world's largest medical imaging company) headquartered in Erlangen/Forchheim; €80 million manufacturing expansion for photon-counting CT
    • Full compliance with EU Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (2017-2018 radiation protection framework) and mandatory DICOM/PACS systems; DIN 6868 QA standards for all equipment
    • Dedicated international patient services at Helios (87 hospitals) and university centers with multilingual reporting; PSMA-PET explicitly marketed to international patients

    Read the full Germany report →

  5. 5 United Arab Emirates AE 4.5/5 Good The UAE substantially exceeds Score 4 criteria across all dimensions: 6+ modern 64+ slice CT scanners with cutting-edge photon-counting CT, 5+ 3T MRI systems with comprehensive advanced sequences, 6+ PET-CT centers wi... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Al Zahra Hospital Dubai operates the Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT (February 2026) with advanced spectral imaging, making the UAE one of the first countries globally with this next-generation modality in clinical practice
    • 5+ confirmed 3T MRI systems at American Hospital Dubai (2×), Mediclinic City Hospital Dubai, Mediclinic Welcare Hospital, and Mediclinic Parkview Cancer Centre, with advanced sequences including DTI tractography and functional MRI
    • 6+ dedicated PET-CT centers with Burjeel Medical City operating Siemens Biograph Vision (3.5 mm resolution), 5,800+ studies in 2024, ISO Class 5 on-site radiopharmacy, and multiple specialized tracers (⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE, ¹⁸F-PSMA, ¹⁸F-FET)
    • Full international standards compliance via DHA/DOH imaging standards, FANR radiation protection, IAEA partnership with 225+ professionals, and comprehensive DICOM/PACS with cloud-based tele-radiology
    • Dedicated medical tourism integration: 674k health tourists in 2024, bundled imaging packages 30–50% below Western European rates, English-language digital reporting, 220+ JCI-accredited facilities, and June 2026 expanded medical visa framework

    Read the full United Arab Emirates report →

  6. 6 Spain ES 4.5/5 Good Spain's advanced imaging infrastructure substantially exceeds score 5 minimums: 1,016 CT scanners (35.12% high-slice systems), 17+ 3T MRI systems plus 7T research capability, and 14+ geographically distributed PET-CT ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Spain operates 1,016 CT scanners with 35.12% being 64+ slice systems; dual-energy/spectral CT standardized nationally via SERAM (far exceeds score 5 minimum of 10+ modern units)
    • Quirónsalud alone operates 17 × 3T MRI systems across its network; IDIBAPS/Hospital Clínic Barcelona operates 7T Bruker research MRI; CUN Navarra offers intraoperative 3T MRI (far exceeds score 5 requirement of 5+ 3T systems with 7T presence)
    • 14 PET-CT scanners at Quirónsalud across 13 hospitals; Hospital Bellvitge operates first PET/MRI in Catalan public network with dedicated radiopharmacy; specialized FDG and other radiotracers available (far exceeds score 5 requirement of 3+ centers)
    • 42% of equipment newly installed post-INVEAT programme, but 33% of total equipment exceeds 10-year recommended lifespan; average estimated age 5-8 years (score 4 range, not score 5's <5-year requirement)
    • All imaging equipment carries CE marking (EU MDR 2017/745); DICOM/PACS standard; SERAM 2025 reference guide standardizes advanced protocols; JCI-accredited facilities with dedicated international patient programs and 30-70% cost savings vs. US/UK

    Read the full Spain report →

  7. 7 Israel IL 4.5/5 Good Israel's advanced imaging infrastructure is world-class at flagship private institutions, with photon-counting CT (Siemens NAEOTOM at Ichilov), a PET/MRI hybrid system (Assuta, 1 of ~50 globally), multiple 3T MRI syst... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Ichilov/Tel Aviv Sourasky operates Israel's first photon-counting CT (Siemens NAEOTOM, 2025) plus Philips spectral CT; multiple hospitals field 128–256-slice dual-energy systems capable of cardiac CT, CT angiography, and perfusion imaging with AI-assisted reconstruction
    • National fleet of ~42 MRI scanners; major teaching hospitals have multiple 3T Siemens systems (Ichilov 4 machines renewed 2024, Hadassah 3T Trio + 1.5T with hyperpolarized MRI research, Sheba 3T + mobile units); Weizmann Institute operates Siemens Terra 7T for brain research
    • 17 PET-CT units nationally (1 per 475,000 people) across 5+ major centers; Soreq Nuclear Research Center produces domestic FDG and ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA; Assuta operates unique PET/MRI hybrid (1 of ~50 worldwide)
    • Equipment dominated by Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Philips (>80% at major private hospitals); equipment age <5 years at flagship institutions; 29 JCI-accredited hospitals including Rambam (97.5% evaluation); comprehensive DICOM/PACS and dose-optimization protocols standard
    • Private-sector medical tourism infrastructure: Assuta express diagnostics (results within 2 days, 440,000 CT/MRI studies annually); Herzliya Medical Tourism Department (50+ countries served); radiology reports in English, DICOM-format CD, digital archiving; costs substantially below US or Western European equivalents

    Read the full Israel report →

  8. 8 South Korea KR 4.5/5 Good South Korea demonstrates world-class advanced imaging infrastructure that substantially exceeds good standards across all major dimensions. The country ranks 3rd globally for CT scanner density and 1st-3rd in OECD met... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Ranks 3rd globally for CT scanner density (behind only Japan and United States), with CT scanner density approximately 2x the OECD average
    • Ranks 3rd in OECD for MRI units per million people and 1st in MRI scans per million people; operates four 7T MRI research facilities with extensive 3T deployment across major medical centers
    • Multiple high-volume PET-CT centers: Samsung Medical Center operates four PET/CT scanners performing over 20,000 scans annually; Severance Hospital has three PET-CT units with modern equipment (Siemens Biograph Vision 600, Philips Vereos Digital)
    • International majors (Siemens Healthineers, Philips, GE Healthcare, Canon) control estimated 68% of South Korea MRI market; latest photon-counting CT technology demonstrated at 2023 Korea Congress of Radiology
    • JCI/ISO accredited facilities with international standards compliance; Korea ranks #1 in EMR system adoption rate; optimized medical tourism infrastructure welcoming 1.17 million foreign patients in 2024 with same-day imaging results and English-speaking radiologists

    Read the full South Korea report →

  9. 9 Mexico MX 4.5/5 Good Mexico's private medical tourism sector demonstrates good-to-excellent advanced imaging capabilities, with leading facilities operating cutting-edge equipment from Siemens, GE, and Philips including modern multi-slice... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Médica Sur operates SIEMENS Somatom Drive and Definitions CT equipment with capacity for 128 and up to 516 slices, characterized as fast with low radiation dose
    • Leading private hospitals feature high-field MRI machines with both 1.5T and 3T systems; Hospital San Javier offers 3.0T and 1.5T MRI with angiography; Grupo CT Scanner operates 3 Tesla MRI machines in Mexico City
    • Médica Sur offers latest generation PET/CT with specialized radiotracers including 18F-FDG, 18F-PSMA, 18F-FLUOROTYROSINE, 18F-OCTREOTIDE, and FLUOROTHYMIDINE; ABC Medical Center offers latest generation Digital PET/CT
    • GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, and Philips maintain broad modality portfolios and nationwide service networks in Mexico
    • Médica Sur is JCI-accredited, ranked #1 by Newsweek 2024, and member of Mayo Clinic Care Network since June 2025; Centro Médico ABC has JCI accreditation and Magnet recognition
    • DICOM standards and image archiving capabilities implemented at major facilities; Siemens invested in PACS development in Mexico
    • More than 1.3 million international patients travel to Mexico annually for care with 40-60% cost savings; rapid reporting available (5-7 business days standard, 6-12 hours urgent)

    Read the full Mexico report →

  10. 10 Malaysia MY 4.5/5 Good Malaysia's private hospital sector demonstrates excellent advanced imaging infrastructure that significantly exceeds Score 4 standards and approaches Score 5 in most dimensions. The country operates 7+ modern multi-sl... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Malaysia installed its first photon-counting CT (Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha) at Sunway Medical Centre in December 2025 and Southeast Asia's first SOMATOM Pro.Pulse Dual Source CT at Gleneagles Penang in April 2025—cutting-edge technology placing the country at the global frontier
    • 8+ 3T MRI systems operational across flagship hospitals (Sunway Medical Centre alone operates four 3T units), with cardiac MRI available at IJN and Gleneagles Johor, exceeding Score 4 requirements but lacking the 7T systems required for Score 5
    • 8 documented PET-CT centers (SJMC, Sunway Cancer Centre, Pantai Hospital KL, Mahkota Melaka, Island Hospital Penang, Sunway Medical Penang, Mount Miriam Penang, Borneo Medical Centre Sarawak) with advanced radiotracer capabilities beyond standard FDG
    • JCI Gold Seal accreditation at Sunway Medical Centre (2024) and MSQH/ACHSI accreditations at SJMC, combined with national regulatory framework (Atomic Energy Licensing Act, DICOM/PACS compliance) demonstrating robust standards compliance
    • Malaysia ranked #1 globally in medical tourism (December 2025) with dedicated international patient services, multilingual support, and highly competitive pricing (MRI USD 170-750) enabling excellent medical tourism access

    Read the full Malaysia report →

  11. 11 Jordan JO 4.0/5 Good Jordan's advanced imaging infrastructure in Amman's elite private hospitals demonstrates strong capabilities meeting Score 4 criteria across all dimensions. The country operates modern multi-slice CT systems (512-slic... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 4 cited points
    • CT infrastructure: Specialty Hospital's 512-slice GE CT (frontier technology globally) plus GE Revolution Maxima 128-slice; Jordan Hospital operates two Siemens Somatom Force dual-source systems; Abdali, Istishari, and Al-Kindi hospitals add additional modern multi-slice units for total of ~7-8 confirmed modern scanners
    • MRI capabilities: 5-6 confirmed 3T MRI systems (Jordan Hospital: 2 Siemens MAGNETOM Vida 3T; Abdali: 1 Siemens MAGNETOM Vida 3T; Specialty: 1 GE SIGNA Hero 3.0T; KHCC: dedicated 3T breast MRI; Princess Basma: Philips 3T) with advanced sequences including cardiac MRI, MRCP, and AI-enhanced platforms, but no 7T ultra-high-field systems
    • PET-CT access: At least three operational centers including KHCC (world-class program with 13,140+ annual procedures, IAEA Collaborating Centre, EANM/EARL Centre of Excellence, on-site Ga68 radiosynthesis for specialized tracers); Abdali Hospital Siemens PET-CT; Al-Bashir Hospital public-sector PET-CT inaugurated February 2025
    • Equipment standards: 100% of documented elite private-sector imaging equipment from Siemens, GE, or Philips; national ban on used/refurbished medical equipment since 2019; all devices require FDA, CE marking, or Japanese certification; PACS/DICOM systems established at major facilities; JCI accreditation confirms quality control compliance

    Read the full Jordan report →

  12. 12 Thailand TH 4.0/5 Good Thailand meets good (4) criteria with multiple modern multi-slice CT systems (64+, 128, and 640-slice), several 3T MRI systems with specialized protocols, and multiple PET-CT/PET-MRI centers with geographic distributi... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Bumrungrad operates multiple 3 Tesla MRI scanners with specialized cardiac MRI, breast MRI, and neuroimaging programs
    • Samitivej features 64-slice and 640-slice CT scanners, with 640-slice using 80% less radiation than conventional scanners
    • Chulabhorn Hospital's National Cyclotron and PET Scan Centre performed 8,711 PET/CT and PET/MRI studies with 13 protocols in 2023
    • Leading manufacturers (Siemens, GE, Philips, Canon) have significant market share in Thailand's medical imaging sector
    • Bumrungrad was first hospital in Asia with JCI accreditation (2002) and consistently maintained certification; Bangkok Hospital has 14 JCI-accredited locations
    • Bangkok Siriraj Hospital undergoes regular IAEA-based quality audits (QUANUM) ensuring international standards

    Read the full Thailand report →

  13. 13 Turkey TR 4.0/5 Good Turkey demonstrates good advanced imaging infrastructure with multiple 3T MRI systems widely available across JCI-accredited hospitals in major cities, modern multi-slice CT scanners with advanced capabilities (photon... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Multiple 3T MRI systems equipped in JCI-accredited hospitals across Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir with high-field technology providing higher resolution images
    • Modern multi-slice CT scanners including photon-counting CT and multidetector-row helical scans at major facilities like Avicenna International Hospital
    • Multiple PET-CT centers across major cities with advanced radiotracer capabilities beyond standard FDG, including bone PET with sodium fluoride tracers
    • Equipment predominantly from leading manufacturers (Siemens Healthieers, GE Healthcare, Philips, Canon) ensuring international compatibility
    • 2023 Turkish Ministry of Health regulation mandating all diagnostic imaging facilities comply with international quality and safety standards and implement regular equipment calibration
    • 40+ JCI-accredited hospitals providing dedicated imaging services for international patients with 24-48 hour report turnaround

    Read the full Turkey report →

  14. 14 Brazil BR 4.0/5 Good Brazil's private sector imaging infrastructure is genuinely world-class, with leading hospitals operating 128-slice CT, 3T MRI with comprehensive advanced sequences, and modern PET-CT systems from top manufacturers (G... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • 128-slice CT scanners with dual-energy/spectral CT widely available in leading private hospitals (Siemens SOMATOM, GE Revolution Ascend)
    • Multiple 3T MRI systems documented (Hospital Brasil GE Signa Pioneer 3T, HCor first 3T in Brazil, InRad/HC FMUSP, BP Medicina) with comprehensive advanced sequences including cardiac MRI, functional MRI, spectroscopy, DTI
    • Multiple PET-CT centers with advanced capabilities: Hospital Sírio-Libanês (first digital PET-CT in Latin America), HC Unicamp (in-house PSMA/DOTA production), Dasa (Siemens Biograph Horizon with time-of-flight)
    • Equipment predominantly from leading manufacturers; GE, Siemens, and Philips 3T scanners equivalent to Mayo Clinic standards
    • 66% of CT and MRI scanners exceed 6 years of operational life; average equipment age >6 years
    • Full international standards compliance via ANVISA Class III registration, INMETRO IEC 60601-1 Edition 3.1 certification, and DICOM/PACS deployment at major facilities
    • 25 JCI-accredited hospitals providing quality signal for medical tourists; dedicated international patient services at Hospital Sírio-Libanês and Albert Einstein

    Read the full Brazil report →

  15. 15 Poland PL 4.0/5 Good Poland demonstrates good advanced imaging infrastructure with modern CT systems (up to 128-slice with dual-energy capabilities), multiple 3T MRI installations from leading manufacturers, and robust PET-CT access (39 u... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • CT infrastructure: Confirmed 128-slice (Medicover) and 64-slice systems with dual-energy CT and spectral CT protocols in use at specialist centers performing 5.4 million examinations in 2023 (5th highest in EU)
    • MRI capabilities: 6+ confirmed 3T installations (Skanmex, Centre of Sports Medicine, Rehasport, Medicover, Helimed, University Hospital Kraków) from Siemens, Philips, and United Imaging with advanced sequences including spectroscopy, functional MRI, and cardiac protocols; no 7T available
    • PET-CT access: 39 PET/CT and 3 PET/MR units across 36 centers with 17 new-generation systems (post-2018); 9 cyclotron facilities producing FDG, Ga-68-PSMA, Ga-68-DOTATATE, and choline tracers; Voxel's 33-center network across 21 cities
    • Equipment quality: Predominantly from leading manufacturers; Ministry of Health 2023 replacement program renewed legacy units; all EU equipment subject to CE marking requirements
    • Standards compliance: EU Directive 2013/59/EURATOM compliance; DICOM/PACS systems operational at major networks; CMJ accreditation program; however, diagnostic reference levels last updated 2005 with no domestic DRL for multi-region CT protocols
    • Medical tourism integration: Multilingual support (English, German, Russian, French) at Warsaw hospitals; DICOM export standard; 40-70% cost savings versus UK/US pricing; dedicated international patient coordinators

    Read the full Poland report →

  16. 16 United Kingdom GB 4.0/5 Good The United Kingdom demonstrates good advanced imaging infrastructure with world-class equipment at leading centers and a strong private sector medical tourism offering. The country operates 757 CT and 656 MRI scanners... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • 757 NHS CT scanners with photon-counting CT deployed at Oxford John Radcliffe (2022), Royal Brompton Hospital (2026), and Nottingham; dual-energy CT in private sector (Cleveland Clinic London) [UK's first photon-counting CT scanner arrives at AMIIC - 2022]
    • 656 NHS MRI scanners with 3T systems widely available at teaching hospitals; 7T MAGNETOM Terra research MRI at St Thomas' Hospital (LoCUS) — one of only two 7T systems in the UK located within a hospital [London Collaborative Ultra-High field System - King's College London - 2024]
    • 34+ fixed PET-CT centers operated by Alliance Medical plus 11 mobile units with domestic production of FDG, F-18 PSMA, and FBB at five UK radiopharmaceutical facilities producing ~170,000 doses annually [PET-CT Services - Alliance Medical UK - 2025]
    • Equipment from leading manufacturers (Siemens, GE, Philips, Canon) dominating supply; major MES partnerships (Manchester/Siemens £125m 15-year contract, Nuffield/GE £200m 20-year agreement) driving fleet modernization; however, 29% of NHS MRI systems over 10 years old and 8% rated obsolete [NHS must do more to future-proof its MRI capacity - Royal College of Radiologists - 2024]
    • Full IR(ME)R 2017 compliance, CQC enforcement, CE/UKCA marking, FDA clearance for all equipment; £700m Digital Diagnostic Solutions procurement framework for DICOM/PACS upgrades across NHS [Guidance to IR(ME)R 2017 - UK Government - 2018]
    • Excellent private sector medical tourism infrastructure: Cleveland Clinic London (3T MRI, intraoperative MRI, dual-source dual-energy CT, same-day/next-day booking with dedicated international patient services); HCA UK (20+ locations, same-day reporting); Cromwell Hospital (95% results within 24 hours); Royal Marsden (specialist oncology PET-CT with research integration) [Cleveland Clinic London International Patient Services - 2025]

    Read the full United Kingdom report →

  17. 17 Colombia CO 4.0/5 Good Colombia operates modern advanced imaging infrastructure at tier-1 private hospitals with multiple 3T MRI systems, approximately 25 operational PET-CT centers offering advanced radiotracers (PSMA, Choline, Ga-68-DOTA)... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Approximately 25 operational PET-CT centers with advanced radiotracer capabilities (F18-FDG, PET-PSMA Ga-68/F18, F18-Choline, Ga-68-DOTA); Clínica del Country operates Siemens Biograph Vision 450 (October 2024) with EANM Center of Excellence accreditation and processed 2,507 studies since opening
    • Multiple confirmed 3T MRI systems at CediMed (Medellín) and major Bogotá clinics; Fundación Valle del Lili Siemens Magnetom Sola (1.5T, newest generation in southwestern region); Fundación Cardioinfantil operates Philips Ingenia and Achieva 1.5T with 800 cardiac MRI studies annually
    • 29.8 CT scanners per million inhabitants (highest of 14 Latin American countries in 2022 survey); Fundación Cardioinfantil operates Siemens Somatom Edge for cardiac/oncological CT; Fundación Valle del Lili describes state-of-the-art CT with CT angiography and cardiac CT protocols
    • Six JCI-accredited hospitals (Fundación Valle del Lili, Fundación Santa Fe, Hospital Internacional de Colombia, Bupa Virgen del Mar); EANM Center of Excellence designation; ACR mammography accreditation; INVIMA Class IIb device registration with post-market surveillance
    • Over 85,000 international patients annually; 3T MRI costs $800–$1,500 USD (60–80% savings vs US); English imaging reports; DICOM images on CD/USB with international PACS compatibility; dedicated bilingual international patient offices at major JCI hospitals

    Read the full Colombia report →

  18. 18 India IN 4.0/5 Good India meets all Score 4 criteria with evidence of 5-9 modern multi-slice CT scanners (32+ slices), 2-4 3T MRI systems with comprehensive advanced sequences, and exceeds PET-CT requirements with 108 operational centers... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • 108 PET-CT centers available across major cities with modern equipment (GE Discovery IQ, Siemens scanners) and multiple radiotracer capabilities (FDG, PSMA, DOPA) – exceeds all Score 4/5 thresholds
    • Multiple confirmed modern CT systems: 640-slice at Apollo, 128-slice at Aster CMI, 64-slice systems with dual-energy and spectral capabilities – meets Score 4 minimum of 5-9 modern 32+ slice scanners
    • At least 2 confirmed 3T MRI systems (Max Superspeciality, Nanavati Max) plus 7T MRI availability (Siemens MAGNETOM Terra, GE SIGNA 7T) – meets Score 4 but below Score 5 requirement of 5+ 3T systems
    • 98% of CT scanner market held by five leading OEMs (GE, Siemens, Philips, Canon/Toshiba, Fujifilm/Hitachi) – exceeds Score 4 equipment quality requirement
    • NABH accreditation framework recognized by ISQUA with 839 accredited hospitals and 50+ JCI-accredited facilities, though accreditation is voluntary with low public hospital compliance
    • Strong medical tourism infrastructure with USD 9 billion sector (2022), 2 million annual international patients, multilingual support, and dedicated international patient coordinators at major facilities
    • Significant refurbished medical equipment market (USD 721.4 million in 2024) and 80% import dependency raise concerns about equipment age consistency and maintenance standards across facilities

    Read the full India report →

  19. 19 Hungary HU 3.5/5 Moderate Hungary demonstrates a paradoxical imaging landscape: critically low equipment density (1.1 CT and <1.0 MRI per 100,000 inhabitants—the lowest in the EU) operates at the highest utilization intensity in Europe, while ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • CT density of 1.1 per 100,000 inhabitants (lowest in EU) yet operating at 21,813 scans/scanner/year (highest in EU), indicating severe capacity strain despite high-intensity utilization of modern equipment including Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak photon-counting CT at Városmajor (installed December 2025)
    • MRI infrastructure critically limited: fewer than 1.0 units per 100,000 inhabitants with approximately 30 scanners total; predominantly 1.5T; first clinical 3T MRI (pediatric specialty) only installed February 2026 at Semmelweis University
    • PET-CT capabilities exceed benchmark: three+ dedicated centers (ScanoMed with GE Omni Legend 6-Ring operational September 2023, Pozitron Medical with Siemens Dual Source, North Pest Central Hospital, Debrecen university) with multiple radiotracer production including FDG, PSMA, FET produced by University of Debrecen cyclotron and exported internationally
    • Strong medical tourism infrastructure with private facilities (Medicover, Duna Medical Center, ScanoMed, Pozitron Medical) offering English/German services, 48-hour PET-CT scheduling, and competitive pricing (CT €65-260, MRI €120-390, full-body PET-CT ~$1,495) with DICOM-compatible reporting for international patients
    • Full international standards compliance: EU member with mandatory CE marking, IEC TC 62 committee participation, DICOM systems at modern facilities, EU radiation protection directive implementation, GMP compliance for radiopharmaceutical production per EANM best practices

    Read the full Hungary report →

Reading the field

What separates a good programme from a dangerous one

Every country above is graded against this published scale — the same 1–5 rubric for advanced imaging quality, top to bottom. How we score →

  1. 5/5 Excellent

    - **CT Infrastructure**: 10+ modern multi-slice CT scanners (64+ slices), widespread dual-energy/spectral CT availability - **MRI Capabilities**: 5+ 3T MRI systems, presence of 7T research systems, comprehensive advanced sequences - **PET-CT Access**: 3+ PET-CT centers with modern equipment, multiple radiotracer capabilities - **Equipment Quality**: 80%+ equipment from leading manufacturers (Siemens, GE, Philips), average equipment age <5 years - **Technical Standards**: Full compliance with international standards, advanced DICOM/PACS systems, comprehensive QA programs - **Medical Tourism Integration**: Dedicated advanced imaging services for international patients with specialized protocols

  2. 4/5 Good

    - **CT Infrastructure**: 5-9 modern multi-slice CT scanners (32+ slices), some advanced CT technologies available - **MRI Capabilities**: 2-4 3T MRI systems, comprehensive 1.5T coverage, most advanced sequences available - **PET-CT Access**: 2 PET-CT centers with good geographic coverage, standard FDG capabilities - **Equipment Quality**: 60-79% modern equipment from leading manufacturers, average age 5-8 years - **Technical Standards**: Good compliance with international standards, standard DICOM systems, regular QA protocols - **Medical Tourism Integration**: Good access to advanced imaging for international patients

  3. 3/5 Moderate

    - **CT Infrastructure**: 2-4 multi-slice CT scanners (16+ slices), limited advanced capabilities - **MRI Capabilities**: 1 3T MRI system, good 1.5T coverage, basic to intermediate sequences - **PET-CT Access**: 1 PET-CT center, may require travel within country, basic capabilities - **Equipment Quality**: 40-59% modern equipment, mix of manufacturers, average age 8-12 years - **Technical Standards**: Basic compliance with standards, functional DICOM systems, limited QA programs - **Medical Tourism Integration**: Adequate imaging access but limited specialized services

  4. 2/5 Poor

    - **CT Infrastructure**: 1-2 older CT scanners, limited slice count (<16 slices), minimal advanced features - **MRI Capabilities**: Only 1.5T MRI available, limited advanced sequences, older equipment - **PET-CT Access**: No dedicated PET-CT or very limited access requiring significant travel - **Equipment Quality**: <40% modern equipment, significant presence of older/refurbished systems - **Technical Standards**: Limited standards compliance, basic imaging systems, minimal QA - **Medical Tourism Integration**: Poor imaging infrastructure for international patients

  5. 1/5 Very Poor / Unavailable

    - **CT Infrastructure**: No modern multi-slice CT capability, only basic/older scanners - **MRI Capabilities**: Very limited MRI access, predominantly older 1.5T systems with basic capabilities - **PET-CT Access**: No PET-CT availability within country - **Equipment Quality**: Predominantly older equipment, limited maintenance, frequent downtime - **Technical Standards**: Poor compliance with international standards, limited quality control - **Medical Tourism Integration**: Inadequate advanced imaging infrastructure for medical tourism

The reports

The full country reports under this lens

Each destination we have assessed has a full, cited report — the detailed analysis behind its score. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

Clinics & providers

The clinics our research names

Named hospitals, clinics and centres cited across these findings — each carrying the specialties our reports record. Follow one to the reports behind it.

References

The sources behind these assessments

The distinct sources cited across these published reports — every finding carries its own citations; this is the union, each linking back to the reports that lean on it.

  1. Untitled source aboutimi.com/about/acr-accreditation Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  2. Untitled source accreditationsupport.acr.org/support/solutions/articles/11000061018-testing-overview-mri-revised-10-21-2024- Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  3. Untitled source accreditationsupport.acr.org/support/solutions/articles/11000061018-testing-overview-mri-revised-10-22-2025- Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  4. Untitled source accreditationsupport.acr.org/support/solutions/articles/11000061279-complete-accreditation-information-ct-revised-1-24-2024- Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  5. Untitled source accreditationsupport.acr.org/support/solutions/articles/11000062295-quality-control-pet-revised-5-1-2024- Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  6. Untitled source accreditationsupport.acr.org/support/solutions/articles/11000063276-complete-accreditation-information-mri-revised-8-2-2024- Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  7. Untitled source acibademinternational.com/health-tourism Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Turkey
  8. Untitled source amstcorp.com Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  9. Untitled source appliedradiology.com/articles/u-s-federal-safety-standards-guidelines-and-regulations-for-mri-systems-an-overview Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  10. Untitled source asmbs.org/patients/medical-tourism Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in United States
  11. Untitled source avicennaint.com/en/ct-scan-computed-tomography-in-turkey Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Turkey
  12. Untitled source avicennaint.com/en/mri-scan-in-turkey Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Turkey
  13. Untitled source avicennaint.com/en/pet-scan-in-turkey Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Turkey
  14. Untitled source bangkokhealth Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Thailand
  15. Untitled source blog.marketresearch.com/10-top-medical-device-companies-worldwide Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  16. Untitled source blog.medicai.io/en/1-5t-vs-3t-mri Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  17. Untitled source booklet.abcimaging.com/losangeles Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  18. Untitled source bpk9internationalhospital.com/en/center/content/MRI_Center Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Thailand
  19. Untitled source centromedicoabc.com/en/procedimientos/pet-ct Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  20. Untitled source centromedicoabc.com/en/radiology-and-molecular-imaging Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  21. Untitled source certificationinindia.com/nabh-national-accreditation-board-for-hospitals-healthcare Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in India
  22. Untitled source clinics.direct/en/diagnostics/mri?country=korea Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in South Korea
  23. Untitled source clinicsoncall.com/en/clinic/medica-sur-hospital Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico
  24. Untitled source clinicsoncall.com/en/clinics/country-mexico/oncology/procedure-pet-ct-with-gallium-68-psma Cited in Advanced Imaging Quality in Mexico

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