Opportunities Challenges of Medical Tourism

8/14/2019 Opportunities Challenges of Medical Tourism

1/21

*Lecturer, GSIMR (SGSITS), Indore

Opportunity and challenges for Medical tourism in India

Prasad Begde*

Ayurveda- the science of life, the origin of most forms of natural and alternative medicinehas its mentionin one of the oldest (about 6,000 years) philosophical texts of the world, the Rig Veda. The Sutrasthana ofCharaka Samhita, a much referred ayurvedic text, says; "The threebody, mind and soulare like atripod, the world stand by their combination; in them everything abides. It is the subject matter of ayurvedafor which the teachings of ayurveda have been revealed." (1.46-47)In its broader scope, ayurveda in India has always sought to prepare mankind for the realization of the fullpotential of its self through a psychosomatic integration. A comprehensive health care is what this naturaland alternative medicine prescribes for the ultimate self-realization."Life (ayu) is the combination (samyoga) of body, senses, mind and reincarnating soul. Ayurveda is themost sacred science of life, beneficial to humans both in this world and the world beyond."Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, 1.42-43.The verses of Rig Veda, the earliest source of ayurveda, refer to panchamahabhut (five basic elements ofthe entire creation), and the three doshas or primary forces of prana or vata (air), agni or pitta (fire) andsoma or kapha (water and earth) as comprising the basic principles of ayurveda. One branch of IndianphilosophySankhya states that there are 24 elements, all of which constitute the foundation of the grossworld: earth, water, fire, air and ether. These five elements in different combinations constitute the threebody types/doshasvata dosha (air and ether), pitta dosha (fire) and kapha dosha (earth and water). The

panchamahabhut and the dosha theories are the guiding factors of ayurveda as a therapeutic science. TheRig Veda also mentions organ transplants and herbal remedies called soma with properties of elixir.This science or knowledge of healing, as mentioned in the Rig Veda, was revealed to Rishi Bharadvajafrom the great Cosmic Intelligence. The knowledge consists of three aspects known as the Tri-Sutras ofayurveda, which areetiology or the science of the causes of disease, symptomatology or the study andinterpretation of symptoms and medication and herbal remedies.Approximately, during 4,000 to 3,000 BC, Sam Veda and Yajur Veda, the second and third Vedas cameinto being. Chanting of mantras and performance of rituals were, respectively, dealt in these two Vedas.And, during 3,000 to 2,000 BC Atharva the fourth Veda was authored, of which ayurveda is an upaveda(subsection). Though it had been practiced all along, it was around this time that ayurveda in India, wascodified from the oral tradition to book form, as an independent science. It enlists eight branches/divisionsof ayurveda: Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine), Shalakya Tantra (surgery and treatment of head and neck,Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology), Shalya Tantra (Surgery), Agada Tantra (Toxicology), Bhuta Vidya

(Psychiatry), Kaumarabhritya (Pediatrics), Rasayana (science of rejuvenation or anti-aging), andVajikarana (the science of fertility). The oldest treatise available on this codified version is Atreya Samhita.The most fascinating aspect of ayurveda is, it was using almost all methods of healing like lifestyleregimen, yoga, aroma, meditation, gems, amulets, herbs, diet, jyotishi (astrology), color and surgery etc. intreating patients. Though ayurveda came into being as an independent upaveda of Atharva Veda, it hasclose links with other Vedas also. The Yajur Veda, which recommends rituals to pacify thepanchamahabhuts in a view to heal both the Cosmic Being and the individual soul, is related to ayurveda inits principles and regulations of lifestyle. The upaveda called Dhanur Veda or the martial arts and ayurvedaboth refer to each other in the treatment of marmas or sensitive points in the body. Ayurveda recommendsspecific ayurvedic massages, exercises and bodywork for this purpose.Around 15,00 BC ayurveda was delineated into to two distinct schools: AtreyaThe School of Physicians,

and DhanvantariThe School of Surgeons. This made ayurveda a more systematically classified medicalscience, hereafter. Dhanvantari, who is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, was the guiding

sage of ayurveda. He made this science of health and longevity popular and widely acceptable. In fact,these two schools of thought led to the writing of two major books on ayurvedaCharaka Samhita andSusruta Samhita.These two Samhitas were written in the early part of 1000 BC. The great sage- physician Charaka authoredCharaka Samhita revising and supplementing the text written by Atreya, which has remained the mostreferred ayurvedic text on internal medicine till date. Susruta, following the Dhanvantari School of

HomeContent
http://../Tourism.exehttp://../fscommand/Contents.pdf


2/21

IIMK Part IX Medical Tourism IIML

Conference on Tourism in India Challenges Ahead, 15-17 May 2008, IIMK 337

Thought, wrote Susruta Samhita, comprising the knowledge about prosthetic surgery to replace limbs,cosmetic surgery, caesarian operations and even brain surgery. He is famed for his innovation of cosmeticsurgery on nose or rhinoplasty. Around 500 AD, Vagbhatt compiled the third major treatise on ayurveda,Astanga Hridaya. It contained knowledge comprising the two schools of ayurveda.From 500 AD to 1900 AD, sixteen major Nighantus or supplementary texts on ayurveda like DhanvantariBhavaprakasha, Raja and Shaligram among others were written incorporating new drugs, expansion inapplications, discarding of old drugs and identification of substitutes. These texts mention about 1814varieties of plants in vogue.Evidences show that ayurveda had nurtured almost all the medical systems of the world. The Egyptianslearnt about ayurveda long before the invasion of Alexander in the 4th century BC through their sea-tradewith India. Greeks and Romans come to know about it after the famous invasion. The Unani form ofmedical tradition came out of this interaction. In the early part of the first millennium ayurveda spread tothe East through Buddhism and greatly influenced the Tibetan and Chinese system of medicine andherbology. Around 323 BC, Nagarjuna, the great monastic of Mahayana Buddhism and an authority onayurveda had written a review on Susruta Samhita. In 800 AD ayurveda was translated into Arabic. Thetwo Islamic physicians Avicenna and Razi Serapion, who helped form the European tradition of medicine,strictly followed ayurveda. Even, Paracelsus, considered to be the father of the modern western medicinetoed the line of ayurveda, as well.In the postmodern age, the popularity of this vibrant tradition of ayurveda lies in its, subtle yet scientific,approach to heal a person in its totality. It aims, not only at healing the body, but also the mind and spirit, at

one go. Its unique understanding of the similarities of natural law and the working of human body, as wellas its holistic treatment methods, help it to strike a balance between the two. This gives ayurveda an edgeover other healing systems. Perhaps that's the reason behind ayurveda being the longest unbroken medicaltradition in the world, today

Charaka Samhita

Charaka Samhita is considered to be the most ancient and authoritative writing on ayurveda availabletoday. It also explains the logic and philosophy on which this system of medicine is based. The detailed biography of the composer of this treatisethat is, sage Charakais not known to the posterity.Interestingly, it is not an original writing of a single person rather like all Vedic knowledge it is acontinuation and renewal of that ancient knowledge system. In fact, Charaka had redacted the AgnivesaSamhita (an edited version of Atreya Samhita). The available form of Charaka Samhita was again workedupon by Drdhabala (living in about 400 AD) long after sage Charaka.According to Charaka, science is dependent upon yuktia quality of the intellect that enables it to perceivephenomena brought into existence by a multiplicity of causes. Thus, it's not surprising that much of thetreatise of Charaka Samhita is in the form of a symposium wherein groups of ayurvedic scholars take up aseries of topics for discussion. This gives indication that the science of ayurveda is a product of constantverification, fine-tuning and authentication by an active community of physicians. The samhita mentionsabout the gradual development of the fetus within the womb in minutes that equals the modern medicalversion in accuracy.The language is Sanskrit and is written in verse form. The style is in keeping with the Vedic oral traditionof conserving knowledge. The samhita contains 8,400 metrical verses.Charaka followed the Atreya School of Physicians, which predominantly deals with treatments throughinternal and external application of medicine. Though the samhita contains all the theoretical knowledge ofayurveda it's focus is on healing the body, mind and soul of a patient in the minimum invasive mannerthat's Kayachikitsa. Hence, he placed great emphasis on the diagnostic part of the treatment. So much so

that he classified everything from solar calendar to topography to the timing of the birth of a child. Heidentified eight stages of a disease from its inception to the culmination. Charaka also laid great emphasison the timing and manner of the collection of medicinal plants.Charaka sought to correct the element of fire or the digestive function in a body. It sought to alter thechemical processes in the cells by purification methods and medicinal application. From a greaterperspective Charaka laid emphasis for health and longevity to strike a balance between one's corporeal andspiritual being. That is the reason why Charaka went so detail into the diagnosis of a disease's originSusruta wrote his samhita, the most authentic text on the practice of ayurvedic surgery around the sixthcentury BC Susruta is, also, renowned as the father of plastic surgery. He represents the Dhanvantari

Top


3/21



School of surgeons. His samhita discussed in minute details on how to perform prosthetic surgery toreplace limbs, cosmetic surgery on nose and on other parts of the body, cesarean operations, setting ofcompound fractures, and even brain surgery. Susruta's original work seems to have been revised andsupplemented by Nagarjuna between the third and fourth centuries AD.This branch of medicine is believed to have arisen in part from the exigencies of dealing with the effects ofwar. Epic Ramayana, mentions remarkable feats of surgery having taken place in the past. We havereference to the transplantation of an eyeball and a head in epics.The style Susruta Samhita is both prose and poetry with poetry being the greater portion. This work, also, issaid to be a redaction of oral material passed down verbally from generation to generation.This work is unique in that it discusses blood in terms of the fourth doshic principle. This work is the firstto enumerate and discuss the pitta subtypes. Susruta details about 125 surgical instruments used by himmostly made of stones,wood and other such natural materials. The Susruta Samhita presents manyinnovations in ayurvedic surgery. Use of shalakameaning foreign body (here, rods or a probe etc.) ismentioned by Susruta. Some of the classifications found in the Susruta Samhita are not even traced by themodern medical science. It described five types of pterygium, and the prognosis it made about glaucomahas not been improved since. In fact he is the first surgeon in medical history who systematically andelaborately dealt with anatomical structure of eye.Susruta has discussed about 72 diseases of the eye. He has stipulated drug therapy for various types ofconjunctivitis and glaucoma along with surgical procedures of the removal of cataract, pterygium, diseasesof ear, nose and throat.

The Susruta Samhita, besides being the most authentic text on practice and theory of surgery, is also themost commonly quoted text on health Astanga Hridaya is accepted as the third major treatise on ayurveda.Around 500 AD, Vagbhatt compiled this samhita. It contained knowledge comprising the two schools ofayurvedathe school of surgery and the school of physicians.There is another similar work called the Astanga Sangraha belonging to the same period. It is slightlybigger in size than the Astanga Hridaya, and is written in verse form whereas the later text was in proseform. It is believed either there are two works by a person or two persons with the same name. However,both the works came into being after the Charaka and Susruta Samhitas.The Astanga Hridaya primarily deals with kayachikitsa besides, discussing in detail about various surgicaltreatments. The kapha subtypes are first listed and described in this samhita, completing exhaustiveexplanation of vata, pitta, kapha with their five subtypes.Astanga Hridaya seems to emphasize on the physiological aspect of the body rather than the spiritualaspects of it like its counterpartsCharaka and Susruta Samhitas. Despite that, the quality and range of its

discussions about ayurveda makes it a work to reckon withYoga and Meditation

These are among the best alternative processes used in the healing of various diseases, be it physical ormental. Yoga is regarded as the oldest therapy that can cure many complicated diseases. It has been proved by history that through the regular practice of yoga and meditation, any volatile and restless mind canundergo a welcome transition with wonderful results.

Yoga

Yoga is gaining more and more attention with every passing day. However, it must be mentioned that theaim and motto of yoga can differ from person to person. Physical fitness, flexibility and spiritual growth are

Top


4/21



the main bases of yoga. This holistic approach goes a long way in achieving excellent results. A stress-free,calm, balanced and fit body adds up as the reward for regular practioners of yoga.

Meditation

Meditation is a part of yoga that soothes the mind in an unbelievable manner. The art of meditation shouldbe practiced with a well-trained guru. Its practice will not only calm the senses but also help in honing the power of concentration. Meditation can increase your patience besides making you view life in a newdimension altogether. The disturbed mind, the restless psyche can be well treated by this ancient therapywithout the help of any medicine. A balanced mind is what meditation propagates and helps everypractitioner achieve

Opportunity of medical tourism in India

Countrys cost-effective and efficient medical sector has made it a favored destination for healthcare. TheIndian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Yoga, Panchakarma, Rejuvenation Therapy are among themost ancient systems of medical treatment, of the world.Southern states of India, especially, Kerala has developed Health Tourism as one of the products for the promotion of tourism in Kerala. most hotels and resorts are coming up with the spas and AyurvedaCenters as an integral part in Kerala. India has an international reputation of being a knowledge-basedeconomy. The available talent base of over 500,000 doctors and seven 700,000 nursing professionals,India can provide Medical and Health care of international standard at comparatively low cost.

Many surgical procedures are available at one-tenth the cost of those in developed countries and there isno waiting period for elective surgery. However, the situation should not make authorities neglect thehealthcare for Indians. There are many areas in which public healthcare needs to advance in order thatIndias workers can be a productive force for the global economy. nearly 80 per cent of spending onhealthcare is now in the private sector. Indias pharma sector has done commendable work in bringinglow-cost essential drugs to the market, including international markets.There is a need to promote India as the new emerging Medical Value Travel destination abroad. Theprivate and public hospitals need to synergize their efforts to promote India as the Healthcare destinationworldwide. The Healthcare Industry will also have to standardize their processes and make its functioningmore transparent and accountable.Indias healthcare sector has emerged as the largest in the service sector. Indians now spend over Rs. 1,00,000 Crore a year on healthcare, and the sector contributes 6.2 percent to the GDP. Experts project thatby 2012; it will contribute 8 percent to the GDP and employ 9 million people.

But one of the many challenges it faces is to provide good quality, affordable healthcare to all. For this,there is a need to reduce inequalities, imbalances that exist between regions, cities and villages anddifferent socioeconomic groups. India has done exceptionally well in the last three years in the tourismsector, with overseas footfalls expanding at near 20% average every year.By January this year, 3.3 million travelers had already visited India, spending close to $ 5 billion. Thedomestic travel is also witnessing rapid growth. Some 368 million Indians are venturing out of theirhomes, based on rising incomes, lower aviation costs, and more leisure time. The World Travel andTourism Council have forecast that tourism will grow at a rapid rate of 8.8% per year for the next tenyears, the highest in the world. The Industry is projected to attract a capital investment of $21 billion by2014, up from about $10.2 billion estimated in 2004, according to a WTTC survey.Equally significant is the impact this growth will have on employment. The travel and tourism industryalready accounts for one of every nine job opportunities created in India, currently aggregating over 20million employees. It is estimated that this industry generates more jobs per unit investment than any

other sector.Seeing the huge potential in the sector, the government has also started issuing M (medical) visa to themedical patients, and MX visas to the spouse accompanying him, which are valid for year.Two lakhmedical tourists, visited India last year, and the figure will grow by 50% this year.India is being promoted as a healthcare destination in the ongoing 'Incredible India campaign,' being runby the tourism ministry. The campaign would promote Indian hospitals abroad as centers offering bestmedical services. In addition, availing medical services in India costs about a tenth of what it is in US,and one-sixth in UK.Not only this, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH), a body set upto ensure safety and hygiene norms for hospitals, has already started the process of granting accreditationwith 70 hospitals in the process of getting approval, India now offers the latest techniques such as robotic

Top


5/21



surgery, and gamma-knife treatment for brain tumors. The efficacy of treatment compares with that in theWest, with the death rate from coronary bypasses at 0.8% compared to 2.35% in the US. Union healthminister A Ramadoss stated the government is considering the Clinical Establishment Bill that wouldmandate accreditation for hospitals down to the district and village levels.

Indian corporate hospitals excel in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint replacement, orthopedicsurgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, transplants and urology to name a few. The various specialtiescovered are Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, ENT,Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Neurology, Urology, Nephrology, Dermatology, Dentistry, PlasticSurgery, Gynecology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, General Medicine & General SurgerySome points describe the opportunity and attraction

Cost Effectiveness

Important cost difference subsist between U.K. and India when it comes to medical treatment tourismpackages.

Every year innumerable number of alien visitors from different parts of the world visits India for itshistorical escapade.Moreover, many a time some of them fall ill as illness knows no place. India is not only cheaper inrespect of medical treatment packages but the waiting time is almost zero.This is due to the explosion of the private sector, which comprises of hospitals and clinics with the up-to-

the-minute technology and best practitioners.

Procedure Charges in India & US (US $): Procedure Cost (US$)United States India

Bone Marrow Transplant 2,50,000 69,000

Liver Transplant 3,00,000 69,000

Heart Surgery 30,000 8,000

Orthopedic Surgery 20,000 6,000

Cataract Surgery 2,000 1,250


6/21



A medical team of doctors, headed by orthopaedic surgery treatment specialist Vijay Bose, sustained theprocedure for Beeney.Jayaramchander Pingle, a member of the medical team, told a news seminar that while in the usual hipreplacement surgery, the total hip was replaced, in the new system, the patient's unique head and neck offemur were conserved and only their surface is replaced with metal on metal enunciation.All these depict that India is now emerging as a medical treatment hub also.

Cost Comparison with other countries

Procedure Charges in India & US (US $)

Procedure Cost (US$)

United States India

Bone Marrow Transplant 2,50,000 69,000

Liver Transplant 3,00,000 69,000

Heart Surgery 30,000 8,000

Orthopedic Surgery 20,000 6,000

Cataract Surgery 2,000 1,250

Here's a brief comparison of the cost of few of the Dental treatment procedures between USA and India

Dental procedure Cost in US ($)* Cost in India ($)*

General Dentist Top End Dentist Top End Dentist

Smile designing - 8,000 1,000

Metal Free Bridge - 5,500 500

Dental Implants - 3,500 800

Porcelain Metal Bridge 1,800 3,000 300

Porcelain Metal Crown 600 1,000 80

Tooth impactions 500 2,000 100

Root canal Treatment 600 1,000 100

Tooth whitening 350 800 110

Tooth colored compositefillings

200 500 25

Tooth cleaning 100 300 75

* These costs are an average and may not be the actual cost to be incurred.

Procedure Charges in India & UK

Procedure

Nature of TreatmentApproximate WaitingPeriods in USA / UK (in

months)

Cost in other MajorHealthcare Destination ($)

*

Approximate Cost inIndia

($) *Open heart Surgery 9 - 11 > 18,000 4,500

Cranio-facial Surgery and skullbase

6 - 8 > 13,000 4,300

Neuro-surgery with Hypothermia 12 - 14 > 21,000 6,500

Complex spine surgery withimplants

9 - 11 > 13,000 4,300

Simple Spine surgery 9 - 11 > 6,500 2,100

Top


7/21



Simple Brain Tumor

-Biopsy > 4,300 1,000

-Surgery

6 - 8

> 10,000 4,300

Parkinsons

-Lesion > 6,500 2,100

-DBS

9 - 11

> 26,000 17,000

Hip Replacement 9 - 11 > 13,000 4,300

* These costs are an average and may not be the actual cost to be incurred.

Hospitals

For last few years India has been depicting its proficiency in medical treatment packages. The major USPof medical tourism India is its cutthroat price of the treatment packages. The visitors can get world classtreatment services at their expediency at cost which is 30% to 70% less as weighed against the cost oftreatment in USA or Thailand.

The medical packages range from health check up packages to posh heart surgery packages.Moreover, the uses of radioactive isotopes and scanning through Gamma camera have added matchlessfeatures to Medical Tourism India. Some of the leading hospitals and their forte areas are discussedbelow.

Andromeda Andrology Centre -centre for impotence, infertility, sex change, sex disarrayApollo Family Health Plan -managed care provider run through Apollo Hospitals.Apollo Hospitals -Center of superiority in Healthcare.B M Birla Heart Research Centre -

Top


8/21



Heart care and surgery packages are prodived with a difference.Belle Vue Clinic -Calcutta's leading medical treatment package institute.Bhatia General Hospital (MRI Centre) -information on MRI with an emphasis on teaching files.Brahmaputra Hospitals LimitedCSR Memorial HospitalCalcutta Medical Research Institute -leading hospitalCharakas Ayurveda Nursing Home -an Ayurvedic specialty hospital & health spa in Thodupuzha, IdukkiChoithram Hospital-It is a complete institution for care of whole society.Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) -It mainly works to alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged and needy cancer patients by providingtotal management of the ailment.Down Town Hospital -a well outfitted hospital in Guwahati, AssamDr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital -offers ophthalmic care package, probe into and education.

Jilla Hospital -offers contemporary amenities, also have guidance amenities.Emmanuel Hospital Association -working together to form a network of christian hospitals and health check up packages throughout NorthIndia.Escorts Heart Research Institute -provides cardiac care packages to patientsHindu Mission Hospital It is a charitable trust hospital in Chennai.Indo-American Cardiovascular Centre It provides world class cardiovascular heed.Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New DelhiInstitute of Cardio-

vascular ailmentInstitute of Dental & Orthodontic Radiography -computerized facial correction & orthognathic surgery packageK.G. Hospital, CoimbatoreKing Edward Memorial Hospital -information about the hospital in MumbaiLifeline Group of Hospitals -provide health services & medical facilities in CalcuttaM.V.Diabetes Specialities Centre (P) Ltd. -provide all-inclusive and entire diabetic care.MIOT Hospital It is a leading centre in orthopaedics surgery package and traumatology in India.Mansarovar Eye Hospital, Lucknow -

Well outfitted eye research centreNeeraj Clinic -a hospital devoted to treatment of epileptic patientsPVS Memorial HospitalShantiniketan Nature Cure Hospital -offers naturopathy treatment, drugless therapy etc.Shusrusha Nursing Home Private limitedSir Ganga Ram Hospital -It is a modern, multi-specialty, private hospital.Specialty Ranbaxy limited -

Top


9/21



provide cost-effective, diagnostically insightful, medical services.Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology -leading heart care package hospital in BangaloreSurya Medical Trust Burns Centre,Pune -hospital for burns patients and research in burns areasSuyash Hospital -well outfitted hospital in Indore with contemporary medical treatment packages.The Advanced Medicare Research Institute -This hospital is situated in Calcutta.The Eye Research Foundation -enthusiastic in providing eye care servicesVardaan Hospital and Medical Research Centre -a multi-disciplinary treatment package hospital in New DelhiVellore HospitalVimhans -health care services for people suffering from brain and backbone ailment.Wockhardt Hospital And Heart Institute It provides heart care package to patients of all age groups.Woodlands Hospital and Medical Research Institute -leading hospital and research institute positioned at Calcutta

Medical facilities

The medical treatment tourism India has depicted a massive growth in infrastructure in the private andvoluntary sector.The private sector, which was very unpretentious in the early stages, has now become an affluent industryprepared with the most modern state-of-the-art technology at its disposal.It is expected that 75-80 percent of healthcare services and investments in India are now provided by theprivate sector.In addition to that India has one of the largest pharmaceutical industries in the world.It is self-sufficient and self- reliant in drug production and exports drugs to more than 180 countries.Using the latest technical apparatus and the services of highly expert medical personnel, these hospitals arein a position to provide a spectrum of general as well as specialist's servicesThese services are offered at awfully cutthroat prices; cheering patients not only from developing

countries but even from a number of developed ones to come to India for medical treatment packages.Amidst varied general and specialty medical treatment packages the noteworthy packages are as beneath-

1. Bone Marrow Transplant2. Cardiac Care and surgery package3. Cosmetic Surgery package4. Dialysis and Kidney Transplant package5. Gynaecology & Obstetrics6. Healthcare facilities7. Joint Replacement Surgery package8. Neuro-surgery & Trauma Surgery treatment package9. Osteoporosis medical treatment package10. Refractive Surgery package

11. Urology12. Vascular Surgery package13. Dental care medical package

As far as the cost of medical treatment packages are concerned, India offer the most competitivetreatment package price to the world with its up- to- the- minute medical devices. The prices of differentpathological tests range from Rs.50 to 3000. And that depends upon the nature of the test.Now, the specialty hospitals are using Nuclear medicines for treatment. Here radioactive isotopes areinjected or administered orally and that is again scanned by sophisticated Gamma camera. So for highquality treatment at lowest possible cost one must select India as his medical treatment destination.

Top


10/21



- Hospitals in New Delhi -Indraprastha Medical CorporationIndraprastha Medical Corporation in Delhi is among the many feathers in India's cap. It is India's firstcorporate hospital and the third largest corporate hospital outside the USA. It is recognized as a centre ofexcellence by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and by the Royal Collegeof Radiologists, UK for training for the first and final fellowship examinations.

A.I.I.M.S. -AIIMS' contribution in the fields of medical education, research and specialized treatment is widelyacknowledged. The main object of the institute is to demonstrate high standard of medical education,training of personnel and conduct experiments and research in various disciplines of medical sciences.

The Escorts Hospital -The Escorts Hospital and Research Centre Limited (EHRCL) at Faridabad is a 150-bed facility providinga whole gamut of specialized medical services. The hospital is reputed for tertiary care services such ascardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and urology

Medical as tourism in IndiaIt can be generally defined as provision of 'cost effective' personal health care in association with the

tourism industry for patients needing surgical healthcare and other forms of dedicated treatment.This process is being facilitated by the corporate sector concerned in health care as well as the tourismindustry - both personal and public.Medical or Health treatment package tourism has become a recurrent form of vacationing, and covers abroad range of medical services. It mingles free time, amusing and recreation together with wellness andhealthcare packagesMedical or Health treatment package tourism has become a recurrent form of vacationing, and covers abroad range of medical services. It mingles free time, amusing and recreation together with wellness andhealthcare packagesMany people from the urbanized world come to India for the upgrading promised by yoga and Ayurvedicmassage, but few consider it a target for hip substitute or brain surgical procedure. However, a nice blendof top-class medical expertise at attractive prices is helping a rising number of Indian corporate hospitalsattract foreign patients, including from developed nations such as the UK and the US.

As more and more patients from Europe, the US and other well heeled nations with high Medicarepackage costs look for effectual options; India is rutted against Thailand, Singapore and some other Asiancountries, which have good hospitals, salubrious climate and visitor destinations.While Thailand and Singapore with their advanced medical amenities and built-in medical tourism optionshave been drawing foreign patients of the order of a couple of lakhs per annum, the quickly growingIndian corporate hospital sector has been able to get a little thousands for cure.But, things are going to change radically in favor of India, particularly in view of the high eminenceexpertise of medical professionals, backed by the fast improving tools and nursing amenities, and aboveall, the cost-effectiveness of the pack

Ayurveda tourDay 01:Arrive ChennaiOn arrival at the airport Indian Horizons representative would welcome you and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at ChennaiDay 02: In ChennaiMorning after breakfast full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Overnight at ChennaiDay 03: Chennai-TrichyMorning after breakfast drive to Trichy. On arrival check-into the hotel. After fresh-up proceed forsightseeing tour of Trichy. Overnight at TrichyDay 04: Trichy-Tanjore-TrichyMorning after breakfast full day excursion to Tanjore. Overnight at Trichy

Top


11/21



Day 05: Tanjore-MaduraiMorning after breakfast drive to Madurai. After check-in proceed for sightseeing tour of the city. Thehighlight of the tour is the visit to Meenakshi Temple. Overnight at MaduraiDay 06: Madurai-PeriyarMorning after breakfast drive to Periyar. On arrival check in the hotel. Afternoon boat rides on LakePeriyar for the game viewing. Overnight at PeriyarDay 07: Periyar-KumarakumMorning after breakfast drive to Kumarakom. On arrival check-into the backwater resort. Evening boatride on the backwaters. Overnight at KumarakomDay 08: In KumarakumDay free to relax. Overnight at KumarakomDay 09: In KumarakumDay free to relax. Overnight at KumarakomDay 10: Kumarakom-CochinMorning after breakfast drive to Cochin. On arrival check-into the hotel. Overnight at CochinDay 11: In CochinMorning after breakfast proceed for a full day city tour exploring the city. Overnight at CochinDay 12: Cochin-Marari BeachAfter breakfast drive to Marari Beach. Overnight at Marari BeachDay 13: In Marari Beach

Explore ayurvedic message and treatment. Overnight at Marari BeachDay 14: In Marari BeachExplore ayurvedic message and treatment. Overnight at Marari BeachDay 15: Departure CochinMorning after breakfast transfer to the Cochin airport for your flight back home

Key reasons for growing medical tourism in IndiaIndia has been the most attractive destination for the visitors around the glob.But the recent trend in the tourism sector shows a propelling growth in the travel & tourism industry.This is not only due to the heritage attraction of the country but the medical tourism India which hasdepicted a steady southward movement, of late.Now the question arises, why should people rush India for treatment?The simple equation is that the medical treatment package price in India is 35% to 40% lesser than the

treatment cost in USA or Thailand.Not just because of the discount but the superiority concern also.India has got the specialist in around the world and in India as well and also has got the world eminentdoctors & hospitals where all the services are provided to the patients. So when you can get the besthealth care in India then why not opt for India as the destination for medical treatment tourism. A numberof specialty hospitals in India are

All India Institute of Medical Science Apollo Hospitals B.M.Birla C.M.C Vellore Tata Memorial Hospital Indraprastha Medical Corporation

Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Kalra Hospitals Dr. U Mohan Rau Memorial Hospital Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children

Top


12/21



The tale does not cease here. In India the use of radioactive isotopes in small quantities and scanning ofthe same through the sophisticated Gamma camera has uplifted the standing of India in the medical carecommunity of the world.The medical services range from dental care to cardiology surgery packages. Competitive pricing isanother unique selling proposition (USP) for India.

>> All India Institute of Medical Science (A.I.I.M.S) in Delhi

>> Apollo Hospitals>> B.M.Birla Heart Research Centre>> Christian Medical College Vellore>> Tata Memorial Hospital>> Indraprastha Medical Corporation>> Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases>> Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre>> Kalra Hospitals>> Dr. U Mohan Rau Memorial Hospital>> Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children

Main Medical treatment in IndiaHeart care in India

Cardiac concern has become a specialty in India with names such as the Escorts Heart Institute andResearch Centre, All India Institute of Medical Science and Apollo Hospital becoming names to considerwith.

They mingle the latest innovations in medical electronics with unparalleled proficiency in leadingcardiologists and cardio-tho-racic surgeons.These centers have the characteristic of providing Ample cardiac care spanning from basic services inprecautionary cardiology to the most complicated healing technology. The technology is modern and worldclass and the volumes handled match international benchmarks. They also specialize in offering surgery to

Top


13/21



high risk patients with the preamble of innovative techniques of plainly insidious and robotic heart surgerypackage India

Principal heart centers like The Escorts Heart Institute have Cardiac Care Units with urbane equipmentand investigative facilities like Echocardiography with colored Doppler, Nuclear Scanning and CoronaryAngiographies.

The Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology in Banglore, the Cardiology Hospital in Kanpur, the Heart Hospitalin Calicut and the Sree Sudihindra Medical Mission Hospital in Coaching are some hospitals in Indiadedicated utterly too cardiac treatment package India. Heart care package India includes the following

- Stress/Resting Thallium- Cardiac CT-Calcium Scoring- Coronary MR Angiography

- Multi-Gated Radio nuclear Ventriculography- Dual Head Gamma Camera Interventional Cardiology- Coronary, Carotid, Renal, Peripheral Angiography- Coronary, Carotid, Renal, Peripheral Angioplasty- Stenting- Balloon Mitral, Aortice & Pulmonary Valvuloplasty- Rotational and Directonal Artherectomy

For check up packages the following tests are conducted. ECG Doppler Studies TEE Echo Stress Echo TMT Holter

Foot surgery

Advances in technology in all fields, especially medical field is happening at a very fast rate in India. As aresult various surgeries and medical procedures which were earlier not possible in India are taking placewith surprising regularity in the country. Foot surgery in India can be taken as an example of that trendwhich has just been mentioned above.

Top


14/21



This surprising and astonishing change has been made possible by exponential development andimprovement in infrastructure in India. Development has become multi faceted which was very muchessential because if just health care had improved it would not have served any purpose with all otheramenities lagging behind.It is because of these all round developments that India has become a global hub of medical tourism anddue to which foot surgery in India and many other such complicated surgeries have become a daily affairfor most medical practitioners While we are discussing on topic of foot surgery in India it is imperative forus to discuss a bit further about foot surgeries themselves so that one can gain a comprehensive or holisticknowledge about these surgeries. Foot surgeries are usually conducted to correct some physical deformitieswhich in most cases are hereditary in nature and are usually present from time of birth of patientHammertoes and toe shortening are two such diseases to correct which foot surgery in India takes place. Incase of former shape of toes is deformed, while in case of latter one toe is longer than another leading toformation of painful corns on feet.Bunion is another common foot deformity which is more often found in women. Bunion is an example of

a hereditary foot deformity.Foot surgery in India is conducted which can cure all of above mentioned deformities as well as manyother which have not been mentioned here.But one might wonder why would people from developed countries, which themselves have high qualitymedical practitioners as well as world class infrastructure, would opt out of their own will to get done afoot surgery in India.

Main reason behind most people making such a decision is cost effectiveness of treatment in India. Foot orany other surgery, if conducted in India, cost a lot less than it would have in patients own country. And itis to gain advantage of this cost effectiveness that patients opt to come to India and return after gettingtreated with complete peace and satisfaction of mind and heart.

Eye care

Eye is one of the most important organs in the body. It is the only source of visual experience. Any kind ofcarelessness can be extremely harmful to this vital organ.Therefore when ever you find problems in sighting then you should rush to an eye-specialist without anyfurther delay. But there is one thing that may stop you is the cost of eye treatment.Sad, yet very true. Any ophthalmologist in Europe or America will charge a whopping amount as theirbill. Add to that the cost of treatment or surgeries (if required). On the other side of the globe, Eye careIndia can do the same at remarkably low costs.

Youll be shocked to know about the huge difference in the eye treatment expenditures in foreign countriesand India is huge to say the least. Eye care India can cost you eight to ten times less than opting for an eyetreatment in Europe or U.S.A.

What are the eye care treatments available here?Now that you know that Eye care India is cheaper than the rest of the world, it is only natural to ask whatare the kinds of eye care treatments that you can avail of once youre here. To start off the list is huge andcan be summed up as the following- Lasik Treatment and Lasik Eye Surgery Laser Refractive Surgery Refractive Eye Correction Natural Eye Care Treatment and the list just goes on,

Top


15/21



In short, it wouldnt be wrong to suggest that if youve got the disease these Indian ophthalmologists havethe cure.Not only do you get all these eye cures, Eye care India is know to have the support of some of the bestequipments used by leading ophthalmologists in the world.But irrespective of the quality of the equipments or technology that is used for Eye care in India, until andunless they are used by experts they can be of no use.Indian doctors and ophthalmologist have been ruling the medical scene for quite some time now and theycould do so for a reason.Yes, these doctors have it all- the degrees, the knowledge and the experience that makes Eye care Indiabetter than the best.So what are you waiting for? Get the best possible treatment for your eye while you get to explore thecultures and sceneries of the country of India

Skin treatment

Do you want to remain beautiful? DO you wish to stay young forever? Botox may not be enough. Thebest way to take care of this is follow some basic steps of skin care. If that fails it is time to get some skintreatment.Why Skin treatment India?India has had a very rich history. One of the biggest exponents of this is probably the ayurvedic treatment.Ayurvedic has been a storehouse of natural skin treatments. With the help of this treatment procedure, you

can get hold of all skin ailments.However, as time moved on and new and better ways of treating skin problems, the popularity of thesetreatments slowly decreased.However, this does not mean that the popularity of Skin treatment India has decreased in any wayIn fact, Skin treatment India has become even more popular than ever before. The reasons are many andmay be summed up as the following-The efficiency of the dermatologists- The medical scenario of the country is headed by a pack of highlyrenowned dermatologists. These skin specialists have the knowledge and the experience to care the biggestof the skin problems.What is encouraging is that more and more promising dermatologists are coming up by the day. The resultis that these doctors have taken over the cream of international dermatologist. So getting your skintreatment in a country of thriving dermatologists is not a bad idea.The low cost of treatment- Low cost of treatment is the key phrase that has made Skin treatment India

what it is today.

Most skin specialists of the world charge ludicrous amounts as their fees. To be more specific, the cost of

skin treatment in Europe and America can have you in splits.However, it does not stop here only. Add to that the cost of medication makes it even worse. HoweverSkin treatment in India, can save you a lot of money as neither is the cost of treatment high, nor do thedoctors extract loads of money form their patients.However, what has really done the trick for Skin treatment India is the intervention of companies inensuring an easy and safe trip for international patients. These companies will arrange all your medicalappointments and accommodations once you hire their services. However, you need to pick the rightcompany before you plan to take a Skin treatment to India.Cataract is quite a common eye disease which usually affects the aging population.

Top


16/21



In the condition of a cataract, with age, the lens of the eye loses its ability to see and a coating developsover it which makes it difficult for the person with the disorder to see properly.The disease advances with time and worsens leading to reduction in eyesight. Initially, partial sight isavailable but with passing time surgery is the only recourse.The lens of the eye is crystalline and a metabolic change of the fiber of the lens over time leads to thedevelopment of cataract and loss of transparency of the lens.In a cataract surgery the natural lens is surgically removed and an artificial intraocular lens is insertedIf we wish to talk about cataract eye surgery in India, we must remember that the medical Council of Indiaand the Ministry of Health, Government of India has started a train which moves around through the ruralheartland of India operating on patients in villages and rural areas who have been suffering from cataract.In India, especially in the rural areas, modern equipment to conduct cataract eye surgery in India is adream.This train has made that dream possible. Many old people who have been affected by cataract have gotnew lease of life after being operated upon by leading ophthalmologists and famous doctors from all overIndia.Many clubs and other voluntary organizations like the Rotary Club and the Lions Club who operate in therealm of healthcare organize camps in different parts of the country to conduct surgery on cataractpatients at subsidized rates and thus give them back the vision they have lost.Cataract eye surgery in India is conducted in these camps and sometimes imported, high quality equipmentfor surgery is used but sometimes indigenous equipment is used.

Imported equipment makes the surgery more efficient and quicker. In these camps, sometimes importedequipment is used.Otherwise, imported equipment to conduct cataract eye surgery in India is only available in privatehospitals and health clinics. These are sometimes beyond the reach of the common Indian. Cataract eyesurgery in India is conducted in government hospitals but it is seen that they use indigenous machines.Surgery using modern equipment and well qualified doctors is becoming available because of certain nongovernmental organizations, the initiative of certain organizations operating in the realm of healthcare andsometimes the government to provide quality cataract eye surgery in India at subsidized rates to the poorand the needy

Liposuction

It does not take the place of a diet. If someone is obese, gains and loses weight frequently, or has an eatingdisorder, he or she is not a candidate for liposuction

Techniques

Many different tools and techniques are used for liposuction ranging from ultrasound-assisted to tumescent procedures. Initially the method involved simply inserting a cannula (vacuum device) into an area andsucking out some of the fat. This dry method required general anesthesia. Now, several other methods are more widely used, including tumescent liposuction, which involvesinjecting a sterile saline solution into the area about to be worked on.Ultrasound-assisted or Ultrasonic liposuction uses high-pulse sound waves to liquefy excess fat, which isthen removed by the same vacuum device used in other liposuction procedures. Ultrasonic liposuction isthought to be more effective for loosening the fat cells attached to muscles or organs and is also useful inbreaking down fat cells so they are easier to suck up into the cannula

Risks

Most patients are pleased with the outcome of their liposuction surgery. However, like any other medicalprocedure, there are risks involved. That's why it is important for you to understand the limitations andpossible complications of liposuction surgery. Decide for yourself whether you are willing to take the risksinvolved in liposuction:

Infections: Infections may happen after any surgery and may occur after liposuction. It is important tokeep the wound(s) clean but even if you do, infections may sometimes occur from the surgery.Nerve Compression and Changes in Sensation: You may experience "paresthesias" which is an alteredsensation at the site of the liposuction. This may either be in the form of an increased sensitivity (pain)in the area, or the loss of any feeling (numbness) in the area. .

Top


17/21



Swelling: Swelling or may occur after liposuction. In some cases, swelling may persist for weeks ormonths after liposuction.Skin Necrosis (skin death): The skin above the liposuction site may become necrotic or "die." Whenthis happens, skin may change color and be sloughed (fall) off.Burns: During ultrasound assisted liposuction the ultrasound probe may become very hot and cancause burns.Fluid Imbalance: Fat tissue, which contains a lot of liquid, is removed during liposuction. Also,physicians may inject large amounts of fluids during liposuction. This may result in a fluid imbalance.Some packages

With todays sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, man is getting prone to number of ailments and diseases.Diseases like diabetes, hypertension, oral and lung cancer and osteoporosis can directly be attributed to themodern way of living. With being in the pink, turning out to be the latest fad, people are getting more andmore conscious about their health and lifestyle. This is where the hospitals and health care centers comeinto the picture. Apollo Hospitals recognizes the importance and need for preventive health care and for the purpose have launched various health Cheq programs and Health Checkup Packages. Medical IndiaTourism offers to give you online information on Health Checkup Packages in Apollo hospital in India,India.Health Checkup packages of the Apollo hospitals in India consists of a range of checks to determine andprevent the occurrence or presence of signals indicating ill health and paving way for the wellness.There are various preventive healthcare and health checkup programs introduced by the Apollo hospitals

that you easily avail at nominal prices.Health Checkup Packages in Apollo Hospitals in India are differently designed for different groups keepingin mind their requirements.Apollo Executive Health Cheq is especially designed and recommended for men and women above thirty-five years, who are living a stressful life leading to mental and physical illness.For men and women below thirty-five years of age, Apollo Master Health Cheq package is the rightsolution for a healthy life ahead. Then there are other health checkup packages like the Apollo Heart Cheqfor persons with cardiac symptoms, Whole Body Cheq, Diabetic Cheq etc. Apollo Hospital also providesspecial health checkup packages for children and women.The health checkup packages in Apollo Hospitals are reasonably charged and therefore attract lot ofdomestic and foreign tourists thereby giving a boost to the medical tourism industry in India.

Gynecology

Infertility brings an enormous toll on both the affected individuals and on society. Couples in their mostactive and productive years are distracted by the physical, financial and emotional hardships of this disease.For these couples, infertility is more than a disease, it is a devastating life crisis which can greatly impactthe couple's general health, marriage, family relationships, job performance and social interactions. Addedto the emotional and physical toll brought by infertility is the financial burden carried by some couplesseeking treatment for their disease.We aim to ease this burden by assisting in provision of comprehensive information and alternative optionsfor making your infertility affordable.Indiahealthtour.com represents the hospitals and a specialty Fertility centre which has been in the field ofinfertility for the past ten years. It is one of the leading fertility units in India.The specialty Fertility centre is located in the city of Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Besides that,Mumbai boasts of some the leading Medical Schools as well as leading Hospitals, offering hi-tech and hi-caliber medicare to patients, both from within and outside the country

At the Indiahealthtour.com represented Hospitals and Fertility Centre , our aim is to offer the mostadvanced and globally competitive ART programs and services Both these centres are equipped with thestate-of-the-art 'Embryology Laboratory' and staffed with the team of highly trained professionals.The aim is to offer the latest services, with success rates equivalent to the West, at very affordable costs,but without compromising on quality. This has been possible by making use of the latest equipment, bestquality disposable and culture media imported from the West, high-class competent service and veryeconomical professional fees. This objective has enabled our unit to be at the forefront of offering fertilityservices in India. During the past ten years, we have treated numerous patients from India, Middle East,Africa, UK & USA, enabling them to have babies and bringing joy to their lives.

Top


18/21



The Indiahealthtour.com represented Fertility Centre been one of the pioneers in the techniques of ICSI ,having done more than 900 cycles with success rates reaching nearly 30%. We were the first unit in Indiato initiate the technique of Assisted Laser Hatching , to improve pregnancy rates in elderly patients and in previously failed cycles. The unit has started performing Blastocyst Cultures and recently has alsointroduced the new methods of Preimplantation Genetics which are available in few centres, over the globe.

The Centre also specialise in the area of Egg Donation and Embryo Donation , which is a boon to elderlyand menopausal women.Indiahealthtour.com is pleased to represent the first clinic in India to offer a Money Back/ Shared Riskpayment option (which is very popular in the US)

Orthopedic Surgery

A number of orthopedic procedures are available such as hip and knee replacement, the Illizarov technique,limb lengthening, Birmingham Hip resurfacing technique (which scores over conventional hipreplacements and is still unavailable even in the US) etc.Many hospitals specialize in latest techniques and treatments such as minimal invasive surgery, cartilageand bone transplantation, spine surgery and limb sparing surgery. All kinds of musculo- skeletal problemsranging from Arthiritis to sports injuries, to complex broken bones, bone tumors and childhood conditionslike scoliosis are treated most effectively.A wide range of spinal surgeries including fixation, stabilization and fusion are regularly undertaken.

Bone Marrow Transplant

Major hospitals in India have oncology units comprising surgical oncology, medical and radiation therapyas well as the crucial Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). The BMT unit with high pressure hipa filtershas helped achieve a very high success rate in the various types of transplantation.Cord Blood Transplant and Mismatched Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant have been performedsuccessfully, a feat that is remarkable and significant, considering the fact that the treatment costs one-tenthof what it does in the west. Special surgeons are available for individual organs. Plastic surgeons of reputeprovide treatment for head and neck cancer, breast cancer and other malignancies. Facilities offered includetele-therapy which includes simulation work stations to ensure high precision and safety during treatment atthe 18 MV linear accelerator or telecobalt machines, brachy therapy and 3-D planning systems. Inorthopaedics, the Ilizarov technique is practised for the treatment of limb deformities, limb shortening anddisfiguration.

Joint Replacement Surgery

Shoulder/hip replacement and bilateral knee replacement surgery using the most advanced keyhole orendosopic surgery and anthroscopy is done at several hospitals in India including the Apollo Hospital, SirGanga Ram Hospital and Holy Family Hospital in Delhi, Bombay Hospital, Leelavati and Hinduja Hospitalin Mumbai and the Madras Institute of Orthoepaedics and Trauma Sciences. Some hospitals like Apollo inDelhi have Operation Theatres with Laminar Air Flow System which compares with the best in the USAand the UK. A knee joint replacement costs about 3000 pounds in India wheras in the UK, a similar surgeryusing the same implants and medical consumables costs around 10,000 pounds.

Neurology

It is perhaps the rule of nature that as we go on inventing ways of tackling the most notorious of ailments,newer forms of diseases take the centre stage. Today, with life attaining a lightening fast pace, the

neurological problems have become an order (or should I say disorder!) of the day.The number of people who need neuro surgery is ever increasing. In this context, the number of peopleopting for a neuro surgery in India too is ever on the rise.Lets look into the reasons why so many people from near and far off lands are coming all the way to thiscountry for a neuro surgery in India.Though the life expectancy, rate of mortality, etc. do not give a picture which the country can boast about,the health industry in India is really seeing an unprecedented boom since the last few yearsThere are several forms of physical malfunctioning that fall under the neuro sciences. For instance there arethe diseases like essential tremors, Parkinson's, epilepsy, Trigeminal neuralgia, and so on. Neuro surgery

Top


19/21



in India is performed by application of the Gamma-knife technique for countering these problems whereyou do not need a scalpel.There is high quality of microscopic surgery for all possible types of brain surgery such as pituitary tumors,acoustic tumors, skull tumors, intra ventricular tumors, glioma, and so on. There are also several medicalinstitutions that offer neuro surgery in India and specialize in several vascular surgeries such as those foraneurysms of all sizes, arterial bypass, carotid endarterectomy, and other related neuro complications.The same also applies for various forms of spinal surgeries. Another reason for such an immense popularityof the neuro surgery in India is the great level of pediatric neurosurgeryOne may contemplate as to why choose India and travel so long a distance for such a complicated treatmentas neuro surgery. The answer is rather simple and obvious. The sudden boom in the health industry of thecountry has resulted in a huge number of medical practitioners who are highly competent.And the cost involved in eth total treatment too is highly competitive. As a result you need less than 50% ofwhat you would need to spend somewhere else. Hence, neuro surgery in India has turned out to be sopopular.

Challenges of medical tourism in India

The trend is still in its early stages. Most of the foreigners treated in India come from other developingcountries in Asia, Africa or the Middle East, where top-quality hospitals and health professionals are oftenhard to find. Patients from the United States and Europe still are relatively rare -- not only because of thedistance they must travel but also, hospital executives acknowledge, because India continues to suffer from

an image of poverty and poor hygiene that discourages many patients.Taken as a whole, India's health care system is hardly a model, with barely four doctors for every 10,000people, compared with 27 in the United States, according to the World Bank. Health care accounts for just5.1 percent of India's gross domestic product, against 14 percent in the United States.

Conclusion

The countries where medical tourism is being actively promoted include Greece, South Africa, Jordan,India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. India is a recent entrant into medical tourism. According to astudy by McKinsey and the Confederation of Indian Industry, medical tourism in India could become a $1billion business by 2012. The report predicts that: "By 2012, if medical tourism were to reach 25 per centof revenues of private up-market players, up to Rs 10,000 crore will be added to the revenues of theseplayers". The Indian government predicts that India's $17-billion-a-year health-care industry could grow 13per cent in each of the next six years, boosted by medical tourism, which industry watchers say is growing

at 30 per cent annually. In India, the Apollo group alone has so far treated 95,000 international patients,many of whom are of Indian origin

Apollo has been a forerunner in medical tourism in India and attracts patients from Southeast Asia, Africa,and the Middle East. The group has tied up with hospitals in Mauritius, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Yemenbesides running a hospital in Sri Lanka, and managing a hospital in Dubai.Another corporate group running a chain of hospitals, Escorts, claims it has doubled its number of overseaspatients - from 675 in 2000 to nearly 1,200 this year. Recently, the Ruby Hospital in Kolkata signed acontract with the British insurance company, BUPA. The management hopes to get British patients fromthe queue in the National Health Services soon. Some estimates say that foreigners account for 10 to 12 per

Top


20/21



cent of all patients in top Mumbai hospitals despite roadblocks like poor aviation connectivity, poor roadinfrastructure and absence of uniform quality standards.Analysts say that as many as 150,000 medical tourists came to India last year. However, the current marketfor medical tourism in India is mainly limited to patients from the Middle East and South Asian economies.Some claim that the industry would flourish even without Western medical tourists. Afro-Asian peoplespend as much as $20 billion a year on health care outside their countries - Nigerians alone spend anestimated $1 billion a year. Most of this money would be spent in Europe and America, but it is hoped thatthis would now be increasingly directed to developing countries with advanced facilities.The key "selling points" of the medical tourism industry are its "cost effectiveness" and its combinationwith the attractions of tourism. The latter also uses the ploy of selling the "exotica" of the countriesinvolved as well as the packaging of health care with traditional therapies and treatment methods.Price advantage is, of course, a major selling point. The slogan, thus is, "First World treatment' at ThirdWorld prices". The cost differential across the board is huge: only a tenth and sometimes even a sixteenthof the cost in the West. Open-heart surgery could cost up to $70,000 in Britain and up to $150,000 in theUS; in India's best hospitals it could cost between $3,000 and $10,000.Knee surgery (on both knees) costs 350,000 rupees ($7,700) in India; in Britain this costs 10,000($16,950), more than twice as much.Dental, eye and cosmetic surgeries in Western countries cost three to four times as much as in India.The price advantage is however offset today for patients from the developed countries by concernsregarding standards, insurance coverage and other infrastructure. This is where the tourism and medical

industries are trying to pool resources, and also putting pressure on the government. We shall turn to theirimplications later.In India the strong tradition of traditional systems of health care in Kerala, for example, is utilised. KeralaAyurveda centres have been established at multiple locations in various metro cities, thus highlighting theadvantages of Ayurveda in health management. The health tourism focus has seen Kerala participate invarious trade shows and expos wherein the advantages of this traditional form of medicine are showcased.A generic problem with medical tourism is that it reinforces the medicalised view of health care. Bypromoting the notion that medical services can be bought off the shelf from the lowest priced provideranywhere in the globe, it also takes away the pressure from the government to provide comprehensivehealth care to all its citizens. It is a deepening of the whole notion of health care that is being pushed todaywhich emphasises on technology and private enterprise.The important question here is for whom is 'cost effective' services to be provided. Clearly the services are"cost effective" for those who can pay and in addition come from countries where medical care costs are

exorbitant - because of the failure of the government to provide affordable medical care. It thus attractsonly a small fraction that can pay for medical care and leaves out large sections that are denied medicalcare but cannot afford to pay. The demand for cost effective specialized care is coming from the developedcountries where there has been a decline in public spending and rise in life expectancy and non-communicable diseases that requires specialist services.India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism-and now it is moving into a new area of"medical outsourcing," where subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems inwestern countries.India's National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an "export" and deemed"eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings." Government and private sector studies inIndia estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by2012. The reports estimate that medical tourism to India is growing by 30 per cent a year.India's top-rated education system is not only churning out computer programmers and engineers, but an

estimated 20,000 to 30,000 doctors and nurses each year. ...

References

Websiteswww.medical-tourism-india.comwww.health-tourism-india.com

News papersThe HinduTimes of India

Top


21/21



Financial expressEconomic times

Books and journal

Journal a dayMedical tourism in India-Raj PruthiMinistry of tourism

Marketing management-philip kotler

Top

Opportunities Challenges of Medical Tourism

Documents

Transcript of Opportunities Challenges of Medical Tourism