You might have seen and heard on TV news are read papers about foreigner looking to India for surgeries liver transplant dental and even cosmetic care. Why? Because our health services combined the latest medicinal Technologies with qualified professional and are cheaper for foreigners as compared to cost of similar Healthcare services in their own countries. In 2016, as many as 200000 foreigners visited India for medical treatment. Speaker is likely to increase by 15% each year. Expect that by 2020 India could earn more than 500 billion rupees research medical tourism. Health infrastructure can be upgraded to attract more foreigners to India.
India in the recent years has emerged as a major hub for medical tourism and is now considered amongst the top 6 medical value travel destinations in the world. Foreign tourism arrivals for medical purposes have increased from 1,39,447 in 2014 to 4,95,056 in 2017. Some of the factors which make India a compelling destination for medical travel are reputed health care professionals and hospitals, English speaking health care workers, cutting edge global technology, personalized service, lower cost, lesser waiting time and rich cultural and leisure destinations.
The potential of wellness systems, developed through centuries of wisdom of this ancient civilization would be fully tapped. This is being done by positioning India as a centre of Ayurveda, Yoga, Sidha, Naturopathy, etc. together with the spiritual philosophy that has been integral to the Indian way of life. Ministry of Tourism has drafted guideline for wellness tourism. These guidelines address issues regarding making available quality publicity material, training and capacity building for the service providers, participation in international & domestic Wellness related events, etc.
Mushrooming of wellness centres in the country has given rise to the concern for quality service. The Guideline for Accreditation of wellness centres have been developed by National Board for Accreditation of Hospitals & Healthcare Services (NABH) in consultation with AYUSH and released during the workshop on wellness tourism organized by Ministry of Tourism on 15 Feb 2011. The Ministry of Tourism has also extended its Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to wellness tourism service providers including accredited wellness centres. Presently the wellness centres accredited by State Tourism Departments are also eligible for the MDA. After the accreditation guidelines of NABH is in place, all wellness centres seeking MDA would be asked to be as close to the accreditation guidelines of NABH as possible.
The initiative of accreditation of wellness centre by NABH and AYUSH has been greatly driven be the Ministry of Tourism as also consultation with the Wellness Tourism Service Providers, State Governments and other stakeholders.
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical tourism (also called medical travel, health tourism or global healthcare) is a term used to describe the rapidly-growing practice of travelling across international borders to seek healthcare services. Services typically sought by travellers include elective procedures as well as complex surgeries, etc.
India has emerged as the fastest-growing medical destination around the world and is expected to grow more with time. Anyone from any nation can get their medical treatment done in the country at an affordable cost. Several medical tourism companies in India are readily available to help out the patient from across the world. India holds advantage as a medical tourism destination due to following factors:
- Most of the doctors and surgeons at Indian hospitals are trained or have worked at some of the medical institutions in the US, Europe, or other developed nations.
- Most doctors and nurses are fluent in English.
- Top -of-the-line medical and diagnostic equipment from global international conglomerates is available at many Indian hospitals.
- Indian nurses are among the best in the world. Nearly 1000 recognized nurses-training centres in India, mostly attached to teaching hospitals, graduate nearly 10,000 nurses annually.
- Even the most budget-conscious traveller can afford first-rate service and luxury amenities
- Lower cost of treatment when compared to the other developed countries
- Getting a visa for medical treatment in India is easier
- The patients can get access to immediate service
- India provides the world-class and standardized medical facility with the help of latest technology
- The patients can receive post-treatment recovery with therapies like Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy
- The patience taking the medical tourist trip can visit some of the most alluring and inspiring places in India
- The nation is full of qualified and skilled doctors in various fields
Getting medical treatment in India was never so easy. With an increase in the demand for medical treatment, there is an increase in the medical tourism companies in India, who are there to provide the patients with the best and affordable medical tourism in India.
