III International Scientific and Practical Conference

"Medical and Health Tourism in the Digital Economy"

October 15, 2026 | St. Petersburg, Expoforum

On October 15, 2026, the III International Scientific and Practical Conference "Medical and Health Tourism in the Digital Economy" was held as part of the XIV St. Petersburg International Health Forum.

The conference was organized by the Association of Medical and Health Tourism Stakeholders, Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSUE), the St. Petersburg Healthcare Committee, the Almazov National Medical Research Centre of the Russian Ministry of Health, the St. Petersburg Branch of the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery National Medical Research Centre, and the Association of Resorts of Northwestern Russia.

Conference partner: Beloostrov High-Tech Medical Clinic.

The event brought together government officials, representatives of leading federal medical research centers, universities, high-tech clinics, rehabilitation and health resort organizations, digital technology projects, professional associations, and international experts.

Discussions focused on the development of medical and health tourism in the context of digital transformation, innovations in healthcare, the potential of health resort infrastructure, digital platforms, and new opportunities for international cooperation.

The conference was moderated by Sofia Leon ardovna Mozokina, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and President of the Association of Medical and Health Tourism Stakeholders, and Elena Nikolaevna Zolotukhina, a representative of the Almazov National Medical Research Centre.

The opening address was delivered by Ernest Vitalievich Boyko, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, and Director of the St. Petersburg Branch of the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery National Medical Research Centre. He emphasized the importance of preparing for the future development of medical tourism and the international export of healthcare services despite existing challenges.

Advanced Medical Technologies and Personalized Healthcare

One of the central themes of the conference was the development of high-tech medical services and their role in strengthening the international competitiveness of Russian healthcare.

Elena Zolotukhina, representing the Almazov National Medical Research Centre, presented a report on the export of medical services, highlighting the role of federal medical institutions in attracting international patients and expanding Russia's participation in the global healthcare market.

Konstantin Borisovich Abramov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Deputy Director General for Clinical Affairs at the Almazov Centre, discussed the institution's capabilities in providing advanced neurosurgical treatment. His presentation demonstrated how specialized medical expertise can contribute to the development of competitive healthcare services for domestic and international patients.

Igor Grigorievich Ivanov, Chief Physician of Beloostrov High-Tech Medical Clinic and a highly qualified cardiologist, presented the clinic's approach to personalized medicine. The discussion emphasized the importance of individualized treatment strategies, advanced diagnostics, and comprehensive medical care.

Particular attention was given to innovative cellular technologies. Alexey Yurievich Polushin, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor and Head of the Scientific and Clinical Centre for Transplantation and Cell Therapy for Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Diseases, presented hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis as a practical model for medical tourism in St. Petersburg.

Evgeny Robertovich Barantsevich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor and Head of the Department of Neurology and Manual Medicine at Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, discussed innovative technologies in neurorehabilitation.

Together, these presentations highlighted the extensive medical expertise available in St. Petersburg and demonstrated opportunities to integrate advanced diagnostics, specialized treatment, cellular therapies, and rehabilitation into comprehensive medical tourism programs.

Rehabilitation and Health Resort Development

Another important area of discussion was the development of health and wellness tourism through modern approaches to rehabilitation, recovery, and preventive healthcare.

Pavel Irkinovich Guzalov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Resorts of Northwestern Russia, and Deputy Chief Physician for Rehabilitation at Beloostrov High-Tech Medical Clinic, presented approaches to comprehensive rehabilitation for oncology patients.

Igor Leonidovich Sotnikov, Deputy Director for Medical Affairs at the Sestroretsky Resort Sanatorium, discussed the main areas of wellness and rehabilitation services provided by the institution.

These presentations emphasized the importance of cooperation between specialized medical institutions, rehabilitation centers, and health resorts in creating integrated patient care pathways.

Health resort infrastructure was considered not only a resource for wellness tourism but also an essential component of disease prevention, functional recovery, and improvements in quality of life.

International Competitiveness of Russian Healthcare

The conference also addressed the position of Russian medical institutions in the international healthcare services market.

Svetlana Viktorovna Ankudinova, Candidate of Medical Sciences and Researcher at the St. Petersburg Branch of the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery National Medical Research Centre, presented a report entitled "Why Complex and Exclusive Ophthalmological Procedures in Russia Are Competitive in the Global Market."

Her presentation examined the international potential of highly specialized ophthalmological services and the importance of clinical expertise in attracting patients from abroad.

The discussions demonstrated the international potential of several key areas of Russian medicine, including neurosurgery, cardiology, ophthalmology, cellular therapy, and rehabilitation.

Digital Platforms, Healthcare Promotion, and Innovation Management

Digital transformation was one of the cross-cutting themes of the conference. Participants explored the role of digital solutions in promoting medical services, improving communication between healthcare providers and tourism organizations, and creating more effective innovation management systems.

Sofia Mozokina, Associate Professor at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and President of the Association of Medical and Health Tourism Stakeholders, together with Marina Vladimirovna Voloshinova, Candidate of Economic Sciences and Head of the Department of Economics and Management in the Service Sector at SPbSUE, presented a report entitled "Trends in Medical and Health Tourism in the Era of Innovation."

Their presentation addressed major industry trends at the intersection of medical technologies, tourism services, digitalization, and emerging models of cooperation between market participants.

Valentin Pavlovich Galenko, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor and Academic Director of the Higher School of Economics Institute of Continuing Professional Education at SPbSUE, discussed opportunities for developing new managerial competencies among executives of medical clinics and health resorts.

Daniil Dmitrievich Mozokin, Business Analyst and Project Manager at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, and Margarita Vladimirovna Shaidulina, Master's student in Tourism at SPbSUE and Head of Promotion at Beloostrov High-Tech Medical Clinic, presented platform-based solutions for innovation management and the organization of healthcare and tourism promotion systems.

Their presentation focused on opportunities to apply digital platform technologies to coordinate innovation initiatives and support cooperation between organizations involved in healthcare and tourism.

Natalia Olegovna Grigorieva, Candidate of Medical Sciences, expert of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives in St. Petersburg and coordinator of its medical projects, presented "Communication Potential in Medicine and Tourism: Synergy for the Development of a Healthy Society."

Her report explored communication strategies and collaborative initiatives connecting the healthcare and tourism sectors.

Denis Alexandrovich Lobkov, CEO of Med-Delo LLC, presented the Med Tender digital platform, demonstrating a practical example of digital technology application in the healthcare sector.

The discussions highlighted the importance of combining digital platforms, data analytics, communication technologies, and professional promotion into an integrated infrastructure supporting the development of medical and health tourism.

International Cooperation: Russia, Iran, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China

International cooperation was another major focus of the conference. Experts and representatives of professional organizations discussed opportunities to strengthen cross-border partnerships, expand patient mobility, and develop sustainable medical tourism routes.

Russia and India

Anna Sergeevna Skobeltsyna, Director General of the Russian-Indian Information Centre, Candidate of Cultural Studies and Associate Professor at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, together with Ajay Sharma, medical tourism expert and Sales Director at Delight Holidays in Ahmedabad, India, discussed prospects for medical tourism cooperation between Russia and India.

Their presentation addressed opportunities to strengthen partnerships and develop medical tourism services connecting the two countries.

Russia and Iran

Evgeny Viktorovich Avdoshchenko, Co-founder of the Middle East Trading House, specializing in strategic consulting and trade representation, and Ibrahim Mello, Head of the Iran Committee at the Russian Association of Export and Import, presented "Russia-Iran: Prospects for the Development of International Medical and Health Tourism."

The report examined opportunities for expanding cooperation between the two countries in healthcare and wellness tourism.

International Medical Evacuation

Andrey Valerievich Perevedentsev, Deputy Chief Physician for Medical and Organizational Affairs at NSSA LLC and Medical Director of LLC Helidrive Zim, addressed multimodal international medical evacuation.

His presentation explored organizational aspects of patient transportation and medical support during cross-border healthcare delivery.

Kazakhstan

Representatives of the Almaty Medical Tourism Association presented perspectives on the development of medical tourism in Kazakhstan.

Saulesh Abdrazakhovna Kalenova, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor at Turan University and Vice President of the Almaty Medical Tourism Association, discussed organizational and methodological approaches to professional training seminars on medical tourism in CIS countries.

Raisa Danebaevna Nurzhaubayeva, PhD, President of the Almaty Medical Tourism Association and Honorary Member of the Global Medical Tourism Association, presented medical tourism as a component of an active longevity ecosystem.

Uzbekistan

Akhmad Askarovich Akhmedov, Candidate of Medical Sciences and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Tourism Association of Uzbekistan, presented Uzbekistan's potential as a major healthcare and wellness destination in Central Asia.

Umida Khabibulaevna Tadjieva, PhD and Director of Medika Medical Tourism Agency in Tashkent, discussed the development of medical tourism in Uzbekistan and prospects for cooperation with Russia.

China

Zhang Weidong, a medical tourism expert from China, expressed strong interest in the conference and hopes for productive future cooperation.

The participation of international experts highlighted opportunities for strengthening professional networks, exchanging expertise, and establishing sustainable medical and wellness tourism partnerships between Russia and countries across Asia and the Middle East.

A Platform Connecting Medicine, Science, Education, and Tourism

The III International Scientific and Practical Conference demonstrated the interdisciplinary nature of modern medical and health tourism.

The event brought together medical institutions, universities, research centers, healthcare technology companies, rehabilitation and health resort providers, tourism professionals, digital project representatives, and international experts.

A key outcome of the discussions was the recognition that the future development of medical tourism requires an integrated approach combining advanced medical technologies, personalized healthcare, rehabilitation, digital infrastructure, effective management, and international cooperation.

The conference highlighted the importance of combining practical medical expertise with economic, organizational, and technological approaches to industry development.

By encouraging professional dialogue and knowledge exchange, the event contributed to discussions on new opportunities for cooperation, innovation, and the development of comprehensive medical and wellness tourism services.

The conference served as an international platform for strengthening connections between healthcare, science, education, and tourism, emphasizing their shared role in shaping the future of medical and health tourism in the digital economy.