You Name It, We Have It

At affordable costs, excellent medical care is offered by brilliant professionals in state-of-theart hospitals. Step out, the magic of lush green nature will soothe you.

Our Correspondent

Kerala, perched at the fag end of India in the south, is popular across the world for its greenery, placid backwaters, and beaches. No wonder then that tourists from across the world make a beeline to bask in its natural bounty to relax and rejuvenate themselves. The myriad rejuvenation therapies from Ayurveda when offered in these pristine precincts assume a divine proposition and, hence, Ayurveda therapies have become a big draw of the land among tourists. It’s from this point that Kerala took off on the medical tourism map in a big way a few decades ago and now its offer-

ings in modern medicine from the tertiary care hospitals too have become a great boon for the visiting tourists. Kerala has several advantages in every aspect of medical tourism, which makes it a favourite destination for people from the Middle East, Europe, the US, and many points of the world. Citizens of the Middle East and the Western World get quality and most advanced modern medical care comparable to the developed world in Kerala at rates lower than back home. Many countries lack expert personnel, while others don’t have the required facilities and, in several others, the cost is at prohibitive levels. In countries like England, the queue to get care is so long in free schemes like the National Health Service (NHS). Outside NHS, the cost is very high. Kerala costs one-sixth of it and hence it’s the right destination for lower and middle-class people in the UK. In the US, a system of people taking insurance policies to cover their health expenses exists. Insurers are in the public and private sectors. Americans pay drastically different premiums monthly for health coverage, which scales up to very high levels. In reality, only 10 percent of the population can really afford the treatment there, while the Kerala healthcare cost is only one-tenth of it. In the Middle East, the facilities are only getting boosted now, ironically with the involvement of the Keralite diaspora, even so, there is a steady flow from there to God’s Own Country for expert treatment including surgeries. In most countries, procedures like cardiac surgery, ortho surgeries like knee replacement surgery, dentistry, and cosmetic surgery command exorbitant charges, but Kerala offers them at affordable rates. God’s Own Country offers at reasonable rates several elective procedures and dental surgeries, which are costly in different parts of the world. So, Kerala comes with a rare mix of expert professionals, top-class facilities, and top-class care at enormously affordable costs. Our doctors and nurses are accepted all over the world. In fact, they form the backbone of health systems in many countries. Back home, they excel in the most brilliant fashion.

Kerala’s impeccable track record in the short span of a few decades in medical tourism is coming in its favour in its journey ahead. The compassionate attitude of the health professionals and the people, which even Thailand can’t claim, is any tourist’s delight. The state has identified that this soft aspect is crucial in its growth ahead. Kerala’s tertiary care hospitals have almost all medical departments under one roof, and comprehensive care is assured once a person from abroad is admitted to any of these hospitals. Effective coordination between various departments makes management easy for the patients and it is smooth sailing for the relatives too. People with multiple issues can sort them out without facing much fuss or pain in these hospitals.

Most hospitals pay attention to the ambiance. Some have captivating sylvan environs which offer a pleasant stay. It’s a soothing feeling not only for patients but also for the bystanders who will have tourism feel from the hospital campus itself. Keralites are spread across the world and are fondly called Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) and they are the state’s envoys the world over. These include business executives, employees, health professionals, etc. Their interactions with the local population abroad and the information and the feel they share regarding various aspects of the state

trigger positive vibes for the state. They help attract people from far and wide to the state for availing of healthcare in the state.

Apart from Ayurveda, Kerala’s cultural heritage is another treat for visiting tourists. Classical art forms like Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Thullal, Theyyam etc are a treat to the eyes of any tourist. Classical music of the land has a healing touch too. The temple festivals from December to April offer a rich tapestry of the land’s tradition. In Ayurveda, neighbouring states or neighbouring Sri Lanka are competitors but Kerala has professionals with expertise apart from enough well-established reputed facilities which perk up the state above the rest. The cost also suits the pockets of middle-income tourists. Of late, the State Government has weeded out quacks and inferior quality or spurious massage centers from the scene. The availability of quality Ayurvedic decoctions within the state also makes Kerala a destination for quality-conscious Ayurveda seeking medical tourists. Both preventive and curative Ayurveda care get equal importance. Ayurveda-based food is best suited for the healthy living of tourists. Ayurveda’s holistic approach with equal emphasis on physical and psychological well-being without side effects is unique and hence can’t be missed.

Kerala also offers Siddha, Unani, Panchakarma, Kalari, and Marma chikitsa. Tourists can make use of different branches according to their requirements. Those who accompany patients are equally important in tourism targeting. Mostly, they make enquiries and decide on the itinerary. Hence hospitals well liaison with them and decide on procedures in tandem with travel plans. There are dedicated personnel or travel desks to inform and direct patients and bystanders on tourism spots and decide on plans. The visits can be a relaxation after surgery or another procedure. They are well-versed in English, while some hospital staff has knowledge of Arabic. The doctors are also consulted on tour plans.

It’s estimated that around 60,000 health tourists visit the state yearly before post-Covid-19 flight regulations arrived. Kerala has 33 hospitals with NABH accreditation, the highest quality certification in India, and hence, a lot more medical tourists can avail the of top-class facilities instead of heading to other states or metros. The state, in fact, is taken as a Metro. It today boasts four airports at Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram with direct connectivity from the Far East and the Middle East. “Kerala can rival a place like Singapore in offering modern medicine with its cheaper rates and top-quality facilities and personnel," said a tourism industry player. Word of mouth publicity, which is the most potent publicity channel, has done a lot of service to Kerala. Almost all health tourists have returned a contented lot, and they did put in a word or two back home, which in turn brought more health-conscious tourists to the state. The growth of the sector underscores the fact.

There are websites giving information on medical tourism in the state, and the Kerala Medical Value Travel Society website is the latest right step in this regard. The State Tourism Department and its websites also vigorously promote the Kerala Health Tourism Brand. “We are in tie-ups with external agencies to reach out to more and more people overseas. Road shows like the recent one in Muscat are also aimed at presenting a comprehensive picture of health tourism in the state,” the tourism official said.

Ayurveda rejuvenation continues to be the big draw, but the news is that modern medicine branches offer excellent care in Kerala at much lesser costs. Medical visas are also issued fast, with no hassles.

According to former Chief Secretary Dr. Biswas Mehta, the longest stay by a tourist coming to India is in Kerala. The major reason for this is the strengthening of health tourism. After all, who would turn their back on fresh air and lush green nature?