India: Charting a medical tourism map
16-May-16, Deccan Herald
From time immemorial, India has sculpted itself as a centre for medicine and healthcare. A peek into the history books will reveal a plethora of facts into the country’s medical past, when great pioneers such as Charaka and Sushruta made ingenious breakthroughs in Ayurvedic medicine.
%20Deccan%20Herald.jpg "India Charting a medical tourism map (c) Deccan Herald")
Image: Deccan Herald
Even in recent times, India’s tradition as a tourist hub, has been paralleled by its distinction as a medical tourism destination, a rare confluence of warm ‘hospitality’ and state-of-the-art ‘hospitals’. It is for critical, terminal, specialist, intensive and tertiary care and treatment that foreigners seek India.
“The Indian medical tourism industry is pegged at $3 billion per annum, with tourist arrivals estimated at 230,000. The Indian medical tourism industry is expected to reach $6 billion by 2018, with the number of people arriving in the country for medical treatment set to double over the next 4 years,” according to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).
“Medical tourism in India is a fast growing segment. Hospitals participating in medical tourism are increasing focus on niche segments; hospitals specialising in dental, reproductive and wellness are also forming an sizeable portion of Indian medical tourism,” said Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman of leading healthcare provider Manipal Health Enterprises.