Glory Days Ahead

GLORY DAYS AHEAD for India's medical tourism sector

India does have an impressive range of medical tourists, with several of them belonging to the South-East Asian coun tries, the Middle-East, Africa and SAARC countries.

When it comes to medical tourism, India oozes confidence like never before.

As per the latest FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) report, the country has the capacity to touch the $9 billion markby this year-end in terms of Medical Value Travel (MVT) market earnings.

India is seen as one of the preferred medical destinations and, going by the current trends, it will remain so in 2020. Medical tourists have a liking to the country’s health industry, the reasons being many. A key factor is the cheaper treatment and travel costs when compared to western countries like the US and the UK. Those travelling to the country for medical purposes can effect reasonable savings in terms of treatment expenses. For instance, the daily cost of travel within India at an average is 31 dollars (about Rs 2,232) in contrast to 223 dollars (about Rs 16,056) in the United States.

India has a vast potential with regard to satisfactory healthcare and treatment costs. In 2020, the country’s medical tourism sector is expected to grow even bigger, a key factor being that the country excels in effective medical treatment in areas like spine surgery and infertility treatment.

Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata remain the most preferred destinations for medical tourists arriving in the country. It is reported that Chennai draws in around 15 percent of incoming foreign patients while Kerala manages around five to seven per cent.

India does have an impressive range of medical tourists, with several of them belonging to the South-East Asian countries, the Middle-East, Africa and SAARC countries. ailment details through the global language.

Another factor going in favour of India’s health sector is that it is powerful ‘bank’ of qualified and skilled doctors. Major hospitals have also quickly integrated latest technologies and know-hows, resulting in accurate and quality healthcare provision.

India has a global reputation for quality medical care. As per official reports, 38 hospitals have got accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Also, 619 hospitals have been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).

LESS WAITING TIME Another favourable factor weighing high on the minds of international medical patients is the quick access to service. Surgeries are done with comparatively less waiting period as compared to that in some of the developed countries.

According to the FICCI report, the mortality rate post-surgery is less in India, (1.4 per cent as against 1.9 in the US).

COMMUNICATION BARRIER Also international patients find it much easier to communicate while in India. The country has a sizeable number of fine doctors, guides, medical staff and other required experts who are fluent in English. Hence, the patients won’t find it difficultyto convey their medical condition and

AYURVEDA The country is popular for its Ayurveda treatments, which has often been proved as an alternative choice of medicine. In fact, many medical tourists are quite happy to try Ayurveda in India!

We have, over time, established connection with leading hospitals and the best doctors in India so that medical travellers are able to get the best experience with minimum difficulty. This year, we are looking forward to treat the medical tourists in a more efficacious manner.

Though there is much scope of improvement in areas like effective regulations, redress mechanism and government initiatives, the country’s medical tourism is expected to peak in 2020. The best is on its way!

Mihir Vora, Founder & CEO Magnus Medi