Medical tourism in India rated among the top in the world
In India, not only is medical treatment executed on state-of-the-art equipment with highly qualified and experienced specialists, but also the costs are much lower and waiting time for appointments is much shorter than in most developed countries. In addition, the completion time for which high-level specialized procedures can be executed is considered better than the best in the rest of the world.
“There are several destinations that are offering medical care facilities and promoting medical tourism. India stands out among them for following reasons: state-of-the-art medical facilities, highly reputed health care professionals, quality nursing facilities, and no waiting time for availing the medical services.
“In addition, India’s traditional healthcare therapies, like Ayurveda and yoga, combined with allopathic treatment, provide a holistic wellness, which has comparative advantage. It is rightly said that in India: ‘To cure with care is a tradition,’” said Devesh Chaturvedi, the Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India.
Many of the surgeons are leaders in their field working with the best equipment available internationally. Providing their expertise at a fraction of the cost of comparable surgery in leading developed countries, these high-level specialists are attracting a growing number of patients from the United States, Europe, the Middle East and other places.
India is noted for an average of 99.5 percent success rate of physiotherapists helping patients regain their physical fitness after surgery. Indian hospitals combine the latest innovations in medical electronics with unmatched expertise of leading cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.
Many private hospitals in India are established to respond to a growing need for neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, vital organ transplants, cancer treatments, dental implants, hip and knee replacements, minimal access surgery, gastroenterology, cosmetic surgery, and countless high level specialized medical treatments that are so costly in other parts of the world. In addition, tele-consultancy is a rapidly growing service available for expert opinion and information transmission.
Medical tourism advocates from around the world point out that patients save more than 20 percent of the price of the same procedures offered in developed countries. Insurers and employers note this development and are slowly embracing the practice of providing overseas options for clients, especially with the rising availability of international facilities having international accreditation.
However, U.S. medical specialists caution those seeking low-cost alternatives without adequate preparation. Even with the highest success rates, highest quality equipment and services, highly trained and experienced doctors, there is a need to ensure that patients’ histories are adequately provided before and after treatment. Potential patients are advised to thoroughly research all aspects of the private hospitals overseas, send, and take their medical records from home physicians, and seek collaboration between their personal doctors and foreign doctors and hospitals.
As Chaturvedi advises, “Traveling overseas for treatment or surgery is an important decision and is totally different from regular travel. Therefore, it is important for the medical tourist to go over all the paperwork properly and ensure that he or she is covered well for any situation that may arise. Further we suggest that the prospective tourist ensure that they are using the services of reputed and accredited hospitals and service providers to ensure quality.”
From a marketing perspective, India’s technology sector is being rivaled by this fast-growing export sector. The health policy of India cites the treatment of foreign patients as an export commodity that is eligible for fiscal incentives extended to export earnings. As health care costs increase in developed countries, studies in India project a 30 percent annual growth rate in medical tourism with earnings of $1-$2 billion by 2012. “Medical tourism brings in additional revenue to the economy and helps the Indian hospitals to upgrade facilities and technology which benefit the local population,” said Chaturvedi.
With over 20,000 - 30, 000 doctors and nurses graduating every year from top universities, India boasts highly qualified medical personnel in both private and public facilities and even provides a large volume of medical specialists to the developed and developing world. The government of India, including the various state tourism boards, and the private sector are all collaborating to provide a high-tech, top quality service.
