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Medical tourism is not a new term in India. This is due to the fact that for the past decade or more, it has remained as the leading destination for foreign tourists seeking medical help. This is mainly due to the high investment by both the government and the private sector in the health care industry.
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Ease of getting permission
Political transparency in the dealings related to getting permission and obtaining visas have encouraged foreigners to come to India. Added to this, the social stability is on the rise and the interactions with the local people are peaceful. These are the two major factors that help the Indiamedical tourismgrow.
Various fields of demand
From the personal and economic point of view, the rise in medical tourism in India is due to the huge price difference. The cost of surgery in India is at least one-tenth of that in the United States or the United Kingdom. The main medical treatments sought after in India are these:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Dentistry
- Cardiovascular surgery
- Orthopedics
- Cancer
- Reproductive problems
- Weight loss
High technology backing in India
India is replete with technology and medical technology is not lagging either. The huge success rate of the operations performed in India contributed to the further popularity of India as a popular medical tourist’s hub among the foreigners. India has a high number of medical specialists who could give high quality treatment in the fields preferred by the foreigners.
Patients seek alternative medicine, cardiac bypass, hip replacement, eye surgery, and bone marrow transplant. India has renown in the areas of hip resurfacing and cardiac surgery. Other than this, dental care is in major demand. The sustained reputation among Indian medical professionals for high standards of work performances has led to greater customer confidence.
Expected growth in the industry
Since the need for treatment is always increasing, the medical tourism in India is slated to grow at the rate of 30%. The volume of the industry stood at Rs1500 crore. The foreign patients save a lot of money depending on what treatment they look for and in which country. For instance, those going to Singapore save 25-40% on medical costs. Medical tourists to India save 65-90%.
Good support from the local infrastructure
In addition, the infrastructure in India is excellent. Everything is centrally located especially in the cities. You have very good roads and the transport facilities are good. The government has eased visa restrictions on foreign patients which in previous instances needed a 2-month break in between trips was not required any longer now. The visa on arrival scheme for the tourists from selected countries allowed tourists to stay in India for 30 days for the purpose of taking medical treatment.
On an average at least 123, 456 foreign patients travel to India. The growth in the industry is projected to be $7-8 billion by 2020. While most of the patients were concerned about the money, many of them were impressed by the quality of the healthcare they received here in India. The best part of their travel is the ease with which the local interacted with foreigners. This is because they use English which is universally accepted.
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