India
offers a host of advantages for people seeking quality healthcare
services at reduced costs. The world is turning to India for
their healthcare requirements, be it exporting doctors from
India (Indian doctors, numbering more than 46,000, constitute
over six percent of all physicians in America) or sending patients
to get treatment in India (500,000 patients visited India in
2006 and the number is increasing by 30% every year)
A
few facts about growing Medical Tourism in India:
- 500,000
people traveled to India for medical care in 2006, whereas
in 2002, the number was only 150,000.
- Medical
tourism in India is growing by 30% on an annual basis.
- Long
waiting lists and anxieties about contracting several infectious
diseases have
caused
about 50,000 British patients to fly to India last year. The
figures have
marked an increase of over 25% compared to 2006, and it is expected
that within
the next 12 months, the country will see an increase as high
as 50%, according to a survey conducted by Treatment Abroad.
We have listed a few reasons for the manifold increase in
Medical Tourism in the last few years in India:
Cost
Benefit: The prime advantage is the cost savings
with respect to medical treatment and surgeries. Many of the
Indian hospitals, serving international patients, have state-of-the-art
infrastructure, highly educated doctors and top-notch services
but the figure on that price tag is a fraction of what it
would be in developed countries. Even if your insurance does
not cover the costs of treatment in India, the final bill
in an Indian hospital would most probably be lower than your
out-of-pocket expenses.
Timeliness: Another advantage is getting
immediate medical attention. There are no waiting lists or
delays to contend with, due to insurance issues or unavailability
of doctors etc.
Quality Health Care: Indian doctors and paramedics
are well trained and are one of the best in the world. Many
professionals, at most of the lead hospitals in the country,
have been trained abroad prior to working in India. Many hospitals
are now JCI ACCREDITED HOSPITALS (JCI is the international
arm of JCHAO – agency which certifies hospitals in the US)
, which means the medical standards and quality care at the
hospitals is at par with the best hospitals in the USA.
Personalized Care: It is relatively easy
to find quality personalized care for critically ill or aged
patients.
Technological Sophistication: State-of-the-art
equipment and infrastructure is the order of the day at most
of the top corporate hospitals.
Facilitation by Government: The Government
of India has recognized the economic potential of medical
tourism. It has facilitated travel by introducing a special
visa category known as ‘medical visa’ for patients as well
as introduced tax incentives for hospitals.
Ease of Travel & Communication: Travel
in India has become easier and much faster due to introduction
of private airlines. Access to Internet in India is considered
to be one of the cheapest in the world and communication facilities
are well established. Travel agencies have a great online
presence and can offer you package deals that include travel
costs, boarding as well as treatment costs.
Easy availability of medicine & drugs:
Certified drugs and medicines are easily available in India,
at comparatively lesser prices.
Modern & Traditional: This is India’s USP. Modern
medical aid as well as traditional therapy, such as ayurveda,
yoga, naturopathy etc, is available at different locations
across the country.
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