Updates on the Latest News About Medical Tourism in India

Weekly Medical Tourism News and Updates

The categories covered in this report are: (Click to view)

Medical Tourism Policy
Investments in Medical Tourism
Holistic Healing Centers
Visa Related Developments
Hospitals
Travel Agencies
Miscellaneous

Medical Tourism Policy

1. Kerala Health Tourism 2007 to be held in Kochi from March 23 – 26
Kerala Health Tourism (KHT) 2006 may be regarded as the starting point of promotion of tourism to Kerala. It is now deemed one of the most preferred tourism destinations in the country. To further promote the growth of medical tourism in Kerala, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), along with the Government of Kerala, is organizing the second edition of KHT to be held between March 23-26, 2007 at Hotel Le Meridien in Kochi.

At the press conference, the Kerala minister of tourism said: "Medical tourism is the fastest growing segment in tourism worldwide. In Kerala, we have taken special efforts to promote this growing sector." On congratulating CII on it's work, he further stated: "As a state, Kerala is leading in the area of medical tourism and it is expected that Kerala will be the first state in India to announce a Medical Tourism Policy. We are planning to announce the Medical Tourism Policy during the inaugural session of KHT 2007."

If all goes according to plan, the plan in KHT 2007 is to stress on growing trends, opportunities and challenges in the Indian Health tourism sector. The special attraction of KHT 2007 will be the exclusive Dental Tourism and Ayurveda Pavilions.

Accompanying the KHT 2007 is an International Conference on Health Tourism, which is being scheduled for March 24 and 25, 2007. It is expected that the conference will have highly-renowned Indian and International speakers from prominent hospitals, insurance companies, travel trade and government.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Source: Express TravelWorld

2. 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 e 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

Investments in Medical Tourism

1. Health sector requires Rs 1.6 lakh cr in 10 years
Globally, India's healthcare sector will go through a complete makeover, where quality of services and competitiveness will play a major role. The Indian healthcare market will need a major boost worth about Rs. 1.6 lakh crore by around 2016 in order to augment its bed volumes from 10.50 lakhs to 16.82 lakhs, according to a study done by Crisil research.

It is expected that the potential of India's healthcare market can touch Rs. 2.17 lakh crore by about 2011, from the present Rs. 1.25 lakh crore. From this point, it has been estimated that India's healthcare market can further move from the mentioned Rs. 2.17 lakh crore to Rs. 3.64 lakh crore by 2016. In order that India may be able to meet the projected demand and maintain the ratio of beds to potential demand, she will need around Rs 66,800 crore.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Source: The Financial Express

2. Trinity Capital Buys 6 Mln Shares Of India's Fortis Healthcare For GBP 10.3 Mln In Pre-IPO Placement
Trinity Capital PLC has acquired 6 million shares of Fortis Healthcare Limited (FHL) for GBP 10.3 million in a further pre-IPO placement, at a cost of INR 145 per share. The acquisition will increase Trinity's strategic shareholding in FHL to 8 million shares or 4.24%. Trinity stated that the increase in investment would give it an opportunity to develop three hotels. It has also been noted that Trikona Capital will appoint a hotel operator to manage and operate the hotels.

According to Aashish Kalra, Managing Director of Trikona Capital: "Our increased investment in Fortis has secured the option to develop three hotels alongside FHL's future hospitals, this gives us considerable opportunity to tap into the growth potential of the healthcare industry. Apart from having an option to develop hotels along hospitals and healthcare facilities, this strategic relationship will also give rise to opportunities whereby Fortis may develop hospitals in our township developments." Trinity has noted that India's fastest growing sub-sector - medical tourism - is expected to grow from $18.7 billion to $45 billion by 2012. The year 2004 saw about 80,000 patients arrive in India from all over the world.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: Trading Markets

Holistic Healing Centres

1. Athulya Ayurvedic Medical Research Centre (AAMRC) – Cancer therapy through ayurveda
Located at Calicut in Northern Kerala, AAMRC utilizes scientifically proved natural sources of anti-cancer principles, without any degradation. All patients, whether in the beginning or the advanced stage, are benefited in terms of cure, relief from pain and suffering and extension of life span.

Traditional techniques and processes are used to prepare the medicines at home, while certain amount of mechanization is inevitably used for large scale production. The beauty of the therapeutics at AAMRC is that they contain active principles in their natural forms and their administration in prescribed doses does not cause any side effects.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: Ayurvedic Cancer Therapy

2. Kadavu Ayurveda Centre
Located in Calicut, Kadavu Ayurvedic Resort is one of those places where you get to unwind and do away with life's pressures. The resort offers authentic ayurvedic treatments aside from ayurveda health regimens offered by the Kerala government.

Some of the facilities offered by the Kadavu Ayurvedic Resort are:

• 8 state-of-the-art Ayurveda Therapy rooms
• A huge river facing Yoga hall
• In house Ayurveda Pharmacy
• A post-therapy care room
• A mini Ayurveda laboratory
• Ayurveda Medicine manufacturing unit
• Herbal garden.

Thursday, March 22, 2007
Source: Kadavu Ayurveda Resort

Visa Related Developments

1. MOT extends validity of Mvisa to 3 years
The Mvisa or MXvisa which had been introduced by the Indian Government's Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has been further enhanced. While earlier, the Mvisa was only valid for no more than six months, the validity has now been extended to three years, provided the tourist can furnish a recommendation and sanction for the same from the doctor.

According to an MOT official, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has informed the embassies of 18 countries of this new development, and also of how all Mvisa procedures will be completed within 48 hours. This has been done with the intention of increasing the potential of medical tourism in India. However, not more than two attendants can be granted miscellaneous visas at a time.

Medical tourism has been prioritized and the MoT has dedicated a series of lectures and speeches regarding this sector at the ITB Berlin 2007. According to MoT, 1,50,000 medical tourists made visits to India in 2006. Dr. Rajkrishnan, CEO of Dr. Rajkrishnan's Dental Clinic, Kochi, and also group member of CII stated: "The decision to extend the tenure of Mvisa is a welcome move and it will help in our efforts to promote medical tourism in the country."
Monday, March 19, 2007
Source: Express TravelWorld

Hospitals

1.Wockhardt Brain and Spine Hospital
Wockhardt Brain and Spine Hospital gives its patients comprehensive medical and surgical care – patients with disorders of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. The latest techniques like minimally invasive spine surgery, Expandable devices for Lumbar Spine Fusion are routinely carried out with results at par with the best global medical centres. Some of the services that the Wockhardt Brain and Spine Hospital have to offer are:

• Brain surgery for abnormal blood vessels
• Endoscopic brain surgery
• Brain tumor surgery
• Brain surgery for epilepsy
• Brain surgery for clot removal
• Remodeling of skull for correction of birth skull defect
• Medical and surgical treatment for stroke
• Thoracoscopic surgery for spinal deformity etc.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: Wockhardt Hospitals

2. Wockhardt Eye Hospital – Innovative Technology
The Wockhardt Eye Hospital is on it's way to becoming the apex of eye care surgery in India. It offers a wide range of expertise and know-how regarding eye ailments which involve both anterior and posterior segments of the eye. The eye-care centre has three surgical theaters that are well-maintained, which enables them to meet up with international standards. It also offers laser capabilities for some of today's complicated surgical procedures. The Wockhardt team constantly strives to provide better service to it's patients alongside offering some of the latest technology and treatments.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Source: Wockhardt Hospitals

Travel Agencies

1. Health Tourism India
Health Tourism India is based in New Delhi with operational offices in South India. It has a team of associate hospitals and medical professionals who dedicate themselves to the patients needs. Health Tourism India ensures that all patients needs are covered; medical professionals are selected based on certain factors such as experience, certifications, infrastructural base and past records.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Source: tradeget

2. Life Smile Biosciences Pvt. Ltd.
Life Smile Biosciences Pvt. Ltd. is yet another travel agency that acts as service provider of medical tours in India. It also covers medical travel insurance.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Source: tradeget

Miscellaneous

1. Indian hospitals beckon unemployed British doctors
For what seems like a change, young doctors from the UK are looking to India for employment in private hospitals. Thousands of British doctors are emigrating to other countries due to uncertainties caused by flaws found in their recruitment system known as Modernising Medical Careers (MMC).

Due to dejection and frustrations as a result of being unable to find jobs in British hospitals, hundreds have applied for jobs elsewhere. One of the main hospitals attracting these young British physicians is the K.G. Hospital and Post-graduate Medical Institute in Coimbatore.

A junior doctor from the Oxford Deanery who applied for a job in Australia and New Zealand was offered a year-long surgical spot in New South Wales within a few days. According to the doctor: "I feel I have been forced out and betrayed by consultants and the government. I still hope to come back to the UK [but] if I was offered a training programme in Australia I would stay." However, while loads of these UK doctors have been looking overseas for jobs, many of the Indian doctors have been short-listed in the present round of employment. Lakshman Raman, Vice-Chairman of the British Association of Physicians of Indian origin (BAPIO) stated: "While it is difficult to calculate numbers, we have heard from quite a number of (Indian) doctors saying they have been shortlisted for interviews. It is, therefore, also true that those who have not been shortlisted have not been successful because of other factors and not because of their nationality. We are quite pleased about this".
Monday, March 19, 2007
Source: India eNews

2. Healthcare goes five-star in India
Healthcare is the new buzzword for corporates and individual businessmen alike, with a majority of them setting up private hospitals under their banner. Private healthcare has grown into a formidable industry with an estimated worth of Rs. 80,000 crore (CII estimate). The result: hospitals that don’t resemble hospitals, machines that were once unheard of in India and services that can match any five-star hotel. That’s right, People, the Indian healthcare industry is getting an extreme makeover, and is touching the lives of both Indians and foreigners alike.

According to a CII study, with demand exceeding supply, the industry is expected to continue its upward run at a rate of 13 per cent annually for the next six years. Hospitals are selling their treatment services by hiring the best names from the medical field. But healthcare is not a one-man show. Whether the expertise is trickling down to the doctors’ juniors is yet to be seen. The movement is still in its nascent stage and sustenance of service and standards over the next few years will be the deciding factor. Healthcare experts also feel the need for medical standardization, accreditation and certification in the medical sector by the government, to maintain standards. The availability of an alternative to government hospitals, and of quality care at reasonable costs, is changing the lives of tens of thousands of people.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Source: rediff NEWS