The death of a 29-year-old Queensland woman following cosmetic surgery in Mexico has highlighted the dangers of cut-price offshore operations and the lack of government information about how many Australians are medical tourists.

However, doctors say there is mounting anecdotal evidence that a growing number of Australians are risking death in overseas surgeries or returning with infections or complications that must be treated on the public purse.

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Eva Sarmonikas, 29, died on March 20 of a heart attack during buttock implant surgery in Mexicali, near the border with the United States, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

The real estate agency receptionist from Surfer’s Paradise was expecting a two-and-a-half hour surgery and two months in recovery, but it appears to have taken her life.

Her doctor was sued by Kim Kardashian for using her image on his billboards, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Anecdotally, an increasing number of Australians are seeking surgeries overseas.

Although the real figures are difficult to grasp, the latest data from Patients Without Borders says the global medical tourism market is growing at 15 to 25 per cent a year. Mexico is listed as a “global healthcare hub” which can save patients 40 to 65 per cent on their medical bills (in US dollar terms).

Australia does not collect data on residents heading overseas for surgery.

But the evidence from doctors who clean up botched cosmetic surgeries and treat post-operation infections points to a growing number of medical tourists, says Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Stephen Parnis.

Asked how many Australian patients seek treatments overseas he said “it’s hard to tell”.

“All we know is anecdotal. We think this is something that’s increasing.”

He said the danger was in the inability to follow up on the treatment when the patient leaves the country.

“You need to have follow up every step of the way when you have medical care,” he said.

The Royal Australian College of Surgeons also doesn’t have reliable numbers on Australians heading overseas for medical treatment.

But the trio of treatments appears to be dental, joint replacement and cosmetic surgeries, said Dr John Quinn, executive director of Surgical Affairs Australia.

He said there are no records on overseas treatments because “the government doesn’t have any jurisdiction on what people do abroad”.

But he said: “If things go wrong the Australian public purse has to pick up (the cost).”

While the Royal Australian College of Surgeons is not against overseas surgeries, Dr Quinn wanted patients to “go with their eyes wide open” – research infection controls, facilities and the qualifications of the surgeons.

But for many, the costs are a serious concern when in some cases a surgical procedure could be a fifth of the cost overseas compared to Australia.

Agencies operating in southeast Asia, Iran, Europe, the United States, Singapore and South America offer a range of surgeries including heart surgeries but cosmetic surgery dominates, as Dr Parnis said.

The Australian Government appears to be formalising what patients have been choosing to do and building a system for cross-border delivery of operations.

A leaked document publicised on Associated Whistleblowing Press related to the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) reveals secret talks to privatise and raise health costs. The TISA aims to deregulate 70 per cent of trade between 23 countries including the EU and Australia.

“There is a huge untapped potential for the globalization of healthcare services even though it is being reflected in the growing cross-border delivery of health services through movement of consumers (patients), personnel or by electronic means,” the document states.

“Trade in health services may create opportunities and have a number of benefits not only for the business partners involved in trade, but for the population as a whole. Some countries suffer from shortages in the health sectors (human or capital).”

The Health Department confirmed it does not collect data on Australians heading overseas for medical treatment.

In line with a recommendation from surgeons, the Government’s Smart Traveller website warns travellers to “keep in mind”” the quality differences in surgery overseas.