Travel News April 2007

Medical Tourism Policy

• Free Trade (in Doctors)
  Americans today are of the view that "If physicians really cared about our health, they'd drop their iron wall against immigrant doctors."

• 'National policy on medical tourism is the need of the hour'
  As per a CII-McKinsey report, medical tourism to India is expected to bring about a revenue of over $2 billion by 2012. A comprehensive medical tourism policy and global information booths are essential to propagate this demand.

• By 2020, Tourism in India could contribute Rs 8,50,000 crores to the GDP
  The Indian Government is extending all possible help to encourage the growth of medical tourism industry.

• Kerala Promoting Medical Tourism to Gain International Recognition
  Kerala is all set to become an international medical tourism destination

Free Trade (in Doctors)
Americans today are of the view that "If physicians really cared about our health, they'd drop their iron wall against immigrant doctors." The people of San Francisco believe that while the salaries of US physicians would be curtailed, it is definitely a better idea for overseas doctors to become licensed practitioners in the US, while still within the confines of their own home country. The idea behind this would be to have cheaper medical care at all times, thereby making healthcare available to all, irrespective of cost.

Already, doctors from the developing countries attend to countless number of patients from the developed countries, a phenomenon that fosters those countries' access to good health care. About a dozen countries, including India are global havens for medical tourism and it has been mentioned that rather than people having to travel overseas to have their medical needs met, it would be much more convenient if the doctors from the Third World could practise abroad. However, it has also been said that "the likelihood of such a U.S. program is dim."
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Source: SF Weekly

'National policy on medical tourism is the need of the hour'
The Export Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) discussed the need for an extensive national policy on medical tourism. Since no state had ever come up with such a policy, Dr. Vinayshil Gautam, Professor of Management Studies stated: "Tamil Nadu, specifically Chennai, is an eye care hub, New Delhi is known for heart care and Kerala has marketed itself as an ayurveda destination. Yet none of these States has brought out a comprehensive medical tourism policy." According to him, other countries - Thailand, China, Singapore and South Africa have long had national medical tourism policies for ages.

According to M.P. Naresh Kumar, Chairman of the Harvey Group of Hospitals, the medical tourism industry needs to be looked upon as an infrastructure industry and not as an industry that provides services. As per a CII-McKinsey report, medical tourism to India is expected to bring about revenue of over $2 billion by 2012. But in order for this demand to be propagated, information booths need to be set up globally.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Source: The Hindu Business Line

By 2020, Tourism in India could contribute Rs 8,50,000 crores to the GDP

With increasing awareness of the gigantic leap in the medical tourism sector, the Indian government is extending a helping hand to the growth of the industry. In the Union Budget for 2003-2004, the government has bestowed infrastructure status to tourism, therefore paving the way for reasonably priced, long term funds to help finance the tourism infrastructure.

The aggregate for tourism for the Tenth Five Year Plan is Rs. 2900 Crore. State governments such as Kerala lay plenty of emphasis on elevating tourism. The state had an outlay of Rs. 74.25 Crore for the financial year 2003 to 2004.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Source: IndiaCore

Kerala Promoting Medical Tourism to Gain International Recognition
It had been reported by Mr. E.K. Bharat Bhushan, Principal Secretary of Kerala Tourism that Kerala is to be promoted as an international medical tourism destination. This promotion ensures the huge opportunities in investments for the Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs), making it a venture that holds great promise. The main purpose behind this is to introduce Kerala as an international tourism location by 2010.

The government is willing to aid NRK investors in every way possible. However, only those hospitals which abide by the terms of the National Accreditation Board (NAB) would succeed in receiving government recognition.

Kerala has surprised the populace with the astounding growth that it has seen in tourist traffic, i.e., a growth of 31% in 2005. According to “Opportunities in Medical Tourism in India (2007)” (a RNCOS report), Kerala has been the most preferred travel destination, particularly for those seeking Ayurvedic rejuvenation. The hospitals in Kerala are also setting up special divisions and support systems for their global patients.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: Newswire Today