News and views about Medical Tourism in India

Weekly news updates on health travel in India

The debate on medical tourism continues. The government cannot shy away from its responsibility of providing basic healthcare services. Several private equity players are looking at investments in India’s healthcare sector.

Chillibreeze Business Research Team

Medical Tourism: Destination India

India is a popular medical tourism destination.

Medical care in the areas of cosmetic surgery, dental care, heart surgeries, coronary bypass surgery, valve replacements, knee replacements, eye surgeries and traditional treatments like Ayurveda is popular with medical tourists.
Sept 19, 2007
Source: Merinews

Bluewater plans healthcare foray; to invest Rs 500 cr

Several private equity funds are eyeing India’s healthcare sector for investments. Bluewater is planning an investment of Rs 500 crore to set up a multi-speciality medical facility in India with equity participation from global healthcare professionals. The facility is targeted at medical tourists.
Sept 16, 2007
Source: PTI via Economic Times

Centre proposes to set up Cancer Institute in Chennai

The Centre proposes to set up a state-of-the-art National Cancer Institute in Chennai as part of efforts to augment medicare facilities in the country.
Sept 16, 2007
Source: Economic Times

Move from medical tourism to medicine

Medical tourism appears to be absurd considering the fact that basic health services are inadequate in India.

There is a view that private hospitals will be detrimental to public health system unless a suitable policy framework is put in place. Also, doctors would find it lucrative to focus on ailments of the rich and few rather than health issues with the masses.

Annual health spending is a meager 1.39 percent of the GDP.
Sept 15, 2007
Source: Times of India

There will be benefits all round

According to a McKinsey-CII study, medical tourism could generate as much as Rs 100 billion of revenue for India by 2012.

The notion that catering to foreigners and rich Indians at expensive medical facilities is going to take away from health care for the poor is entirely mistaken. These are private facilities whose clients pay for their services, which doesn't prevent the government from setting up a first-rate public health system that takes care of everybody.
Sept 15, 2007
Source: Times of India

Mumbai Doctor Treats Hundreds of 9/11 Victims with Herbal Medicines

A Mumbai-based ayurveda doctor has been quietly providing herbal treatments to hundreds of ground zero workers and volunteers victims affected by the toxic air following 9/11 disaster.
Sept 13, 2007
Source: IANS via Med India

Ranbaxy to invest $500-600 mn in Punjab

Pharma major Ranbaxy Laboratories is planning to invest $500-600 million in creating healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals and medical institutes, in Punjab.
Sept 14, 2007
Source: PTI via Economic Times