Medical Tourism News in India

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. '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 infrasctructure industry and not as an industry that provides services. As per a CII-McKinsey report, medical tourism to India is expected to bring about a 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

2. 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

Investments in Medical Tourism

1. Growth of private medical care in good health
When a patient enters a Max healthcare hospital in Delhi, a highly qualified doctor can be seen within minutes without an appointment. The price paid here is meager compared to the prices that are being offered in developed countries. However, for the average Indian, it is still a tad over-priced. On a normal basis, India's doctors are well-trained, even by international standards. But while this fact holdsa true, many of the country's public hospitals are poorly equipped and overcrowded. On the other hand, for the more fortunate, India's private hospitals are a blessing.

As India's middle class grows, so will the need for top-notch healthcare. There are several international investors that are backing the private healthcare sector. Warburg Pincus, the largest equity investor in India, has invested over $30 million in Max Healthcare. Another private equity fund based in the US - Chrys Capital - invested approximately $10 million in Max Healthcare in the year 2004. George Soros’ Quantum Fund, along with another investment firm, Blue Ridge, are the private healthcare sector's most recent investors had an agreement with Fortis Healthcare, wherein the latter had agreed to issue $33.3 million in shares to the two funds.

India's healthcare market, being highly fragmented, is one in which demand is by far higher than supply. India has 1.5 hospital beds for every 1000 people, as comapred with a ratio of 4.3 beds in the more advanced countries (McKinsey and Confederation of Indian Industries report). In order to meet up with the growing demand for healthcare, an investment of $22 billion to $31 billion by 2012 is required.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Source: Financial Times

2. Kerala emerging as hub for medical tourism
Kerala is fast becoming one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country, be it for medical purposes or otherwise. It is the one state where all a varying system of medicine is being practised. Within the last few years, the state (and the country as a whole) has seen a lot of what is known as "reproductive tourism," wherein couples travel to other countries to receive fertility treatments that are not allowed or unavailable in their own home countries.

Various leading hospital officials have predicted that by 2010, the number of tourists arriving in the State will see an increase from the present 16,000 to about 100,000 caused mainly due to prohibitive costs and the long wait for services. The Kerala Government has asked Investment Consulting Research Agency (ICRA) to come up with a report on the potential of Kerala's medical tourism.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: The Peninsula

Holistic Healing Centers

1. Ayurvedagram Heritage Wellness Center, Bangalore
AyurvedaGram Heritage Wellness Centre (formerly known as Ayurgram Health Resort) in Bangalore is considered to be one of the top-five spas or Ayurvedic Health Resorts in India. It provides authentic Ayurvedic treatments for specific illnesses such as arthritis, obesity, spondylitis, cholesterol, sinusitis, peptic ulcer etc. The health resort has a variety of programs to suit the needs of each and every one of it's visitors.

Supported by one of India's leading Ayurvedic institutions, Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd. (KAPL), AyurvedaGram is more or less an Ayurvedic village with physicians and therapists that reside within the vicinity.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Source: AyurvedaGram

2. Soukya Holistic Health Centre
Soukya is the first holistic healing centre of its kind. It offers all kinds of systems of medicine, namely, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturotherpay and a wide range of complementary therpaies such as Yoga, Accupuncture, Reflexology, Accupressure etc. The Centre has visitors from over 40 countries who repeatedly visit this holistic haven.

Although Soukya has many visitors, each visitor's treatment is taken into account individually. The doctor goes through a detailed evaluation of the person regarding his/her physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and nutritional well-being. This may be followed by an examination by Dr. Mathai, world-renowned holistic health consultant. The centre handles all kinds of ailments, particularly chronic, rare and incurable conditions.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Source: Soukya

Visa Related Developments

1. Colours of India
The year 2007 is turning out to be an excellent month for medical tourism. Thanks to the government along with the Ministry of Tourism AND the Ministry of External Affairs, a Medical Visa, also known as Mvisa or MXvisa has been put together. Aside from this fact, the validity of this Visa has also been extended from a period of six months to three years in order that there may be a rise in inbound medical tourism. This way, healing and good treatment can be continued absolutely hassle-free.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: EXPRESS Travel World

2. Ministry gives medical tourism a boost
Speaking at the India Health Conclave 2007 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Mumbai, Union Minister for Tourism Ambika Soni focused on the efforts made by the Ministry to promote ‘Incredible India’ through its Mvisas, specially designed for medical tourists. “We are offering several packages to promote such visitors. The idea is to encourage medical tourists to return after their first visit,” stated Soni.

With the tourism industry set to boom with the coming of the 2010 Asian Games and the 2014 Afro-Asian games, Soni said that it was just the right time to promote medical tourism. Members in the audience agreed that medical tourism could get the much required revenue to run super-speciality centres. According to Dr P V R Mohandas - director of MIOT Hospitals - in Chennai: “There needs to be a corridor specifically designed for medical tourism because this industry is going to grow. Also, immigration procedures should be simplified to make it convenient for patients visiting India.”
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Source: Mumbai Newsline

Hospitals

1. Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore – Asia's most advanced Super Specialty hospital
Bangalore is probably one of the most highly acclaimed cities as far as medical treatments, services and facilities are concerned. It has come to be known as the preferred medical destination in Asia. The 400-bed hospital focuses largely on provision of critical medical and surgical care. Wockhardt in Bangalore has achieved a name for itself as a centre of excellence in the areas of Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery, Orthopedics, Trauma care and Joint replacements, Neurology and & Neurosurgery, Women & Child Services – Gynecology, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Minimal Access Surgery & General Surgery and Critical Care, Emergency Medicine and Wellness Care.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Source: Wockhardt Hospitals

2. Max Healthcare
Max Healthcare, India's first truly integrated healthcare system, offers three levels of clinical service - Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. It is one of those healthcare service systems that believes in total patient care and delivery of care through the combination of medical and service excellence. Not only does it focus on the patient's illness, but also on the overall wellness of the patient.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Source: Max Healthcare

Travel Agencies

1. Legend Tours Pvt. Ltd
Legend Tours Pvt. Ltd. is a South India Tour Operator that offers a commensurate range of South India tourism package and focuses mainly on Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and other South Indian cities. Legend Tours has laid a lot of stress on medical tourism and has tied up with several hospitals - mainly plastic and aestheic surgery centres. It's tour packages covers places which are both rejuvenating, soothing and relaxing, particularly for the elderly.

Legend Tours Pvt. Ltd. is a South India Tour Operator that offers a commensurate range of South India tourism package and focuses mainly on Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and other South Indian cities. Legend Tours has laid a lot of stress on medical tourism and has tied up with several hospitals - mainly plastic and aestheic surgery centres. It's tour packages covers places which are both rejuvenating, soothing and relaxing, particularly for the elderly.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: Locate India

2. Swagatam Tours and Travels Limited
Based in Delhi, Swagatam Tours and Travels Ltd. is a service provider for medical tourism, insurance etc. Having been formed in 1986, the Comapny has been awarded the National Tourism Award four times by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for increasing the number of tourist arrivals and also for increased foreign exchange earnings.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Source: Swagatam

Miscellaneous

1.Medical tourism
Bangalore hospitals is fast nudging Mumbai out of the way as it gears up to manage the ever-growing global market. The hospitals here are offering world-class services and treatments to overseas patients, especially from the Gulf. Whether it is the introduction of healing coaches for patients or the incorporation of aerobic centres, hospitals in Bangalore are leaving no stone unturned. According to Dr Devi Shetty, chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences: "Flying in from 30 different countries, 'medical tourists' account for 10 per cent of patients in the top hospitals, but the majority are seen from UAE and Saudi Arabia."

Manipal Hospital checks in over 3000 foreign patients, particularly from the Gulf. "Plans to bring in a team of doctors from Bangalore to show them around Dubai in the near future is also on the cards," Emirates commercial operations senior vicepresident (West Asia and Indian Ocean) reveals Nabil Sultan. Besides the introduction of eight flights a week to Bangalore in late 2006, Emirates also added 20 more flights to India.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: The Times of India

2. Medical Tourism in India: Is it a Good Idea?
Union health minister Dr Anbumani Ramdoss is of the view that 150,000 foreigners needing medical treatment visit India in a year and the medical tourism market is worth $333 mil. Projected growth is to make it a $2 billion industry by 2012. The main idea behind this is to target some 50 million Americans who are not covered by insurance. Most of those making the trip to India are folks who can’t afford it in their own country. While heart surgery in the US costs $200,000, in India it is reasonable and only costs about $10,000.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: Desicritics