| Recognized as a potential "global health destination", | | | | expects to earn revenue of around $2 billion by 2012. |
| India is set to reach new heights in the field of | | | | Declared as India's health capital, Chennai ropes in |
| medical tourism. There has been an increase in the | | | | around 45% of medical tourists from abroad and |
| number of foreign patients in India in recent years. | | | | 30-40% of health tourists from within the country. |
| Records suggest that the cost of healthcare and | | | | This is good news indeed for the medical tourism |
| medical services in India is almost one-tenth of the | | | | industry in India. |
| prices charged in the US or Britain. This is one of the | | | | There isn't an iota of doubt that the main appeal of |
| primary factors accounting for the rise in the number | | | | Indian medical tourism lies in its low cost, high quality |
| of medical tourists. Besides, the quality of medical | | | | medical treatment. For instance, the Madras Medical |
| services offered here is, in no way, inferior to its | | | | Mission, a Chennai-based hospital, conducted a |
| British or American counterpart. Indian corporate | | | | complex heart surgery on an 87-year-old American at |
| hospitals use the latest technologies and offer | | | | $8,000. The patient, on his recovery, asserted that a |
| advanced medical services, in line with the hospitals in | | | | less complex operation had cost him $40,000 in |
| developed nations. | | | | America. Besides, diagnostic services and regular |
| Realizing the prospect of medical tourism in India, the | | | | health check ups are a lot more cost- saving in India. |
| government has decided to take proper steps | | | | A thorough health check up that includes blood tests, |
| towards promoting India as a "high tech healing | | | | electro cardiogram tests, chest x-rays, lung tests, |
| center." In fact, the private healthcare organizations | | | | and abdominal ultrasound costs around £345 in |
| have done a wonderful job by upgrading themselves | | | | London. On the other hand, these similar tests can be |
| to international standards. Having achieved the goal of | | | | performed in India at a minimal charge of $84. |
| meeting the international medical standards, the | | | | For many foreign patients, cost may not be the only |
| government is eyeing ways to promote Indian | | | | factor determining their decision to land up in a |
| medical tourism industry abroad. The idea of providing | | | | medical tourist destination. India, for long, has been |
| world-class treatment at affordable charges, | | | | looked at with distrust with regard to cleanliness. The |
| definitely the focal point of attraction, should be | | | | reality is, Indian private health concerns meet |
| propagated in foreign countries. This is no story | | | | international standards of cleanliness and hygiene. All |
| because Indian corporate hospitals are offering | | | | that is required is the confidence of our foreign |
| excellent healthcare practices such as cosmetic | | | | tourists in the Indian medical system. They should not |
| surgery, hip resurfacing, cardiac surgery, joint | | | | overlook the fact that there are many Americans |
| replacements and dentistry at comparatively low | | | | and Britons who are accustomed to being treated by |
| rates. | | | | expatriate Indian doctors. |
| The number of foreign patients traveling to India has | | | | Following the current trend, the future of Indian |
| increased in the past few years. This number is | | | | medical tourism seems bright with the number of |
| slated to increase further as the government | | | | medical tourists increasing day by day. |