Research project on medical tourism

SUBMITTED BY:
ANKUR PURI
THIRD YEAR
ROLL NO:-061582
RESEARCH CENTER:INSTITUTE OF HOTEL
MANAGEMENT,GWALIOR

This project report is based on bits of information,
ideas and concept collected over a long period of
time through studies and interaction with a large
number of people.
The list is large. My memory fails in recalling them all
and then their constraint of space in mentioning their
names herein. I owe a debt of gratitude to them all.
I express my deep appreciation and indebtedness to
my faculty members for helping me in completing
this project.
I am deeply indebted to my friends, colleagues and
family members for providing me deep insight into
the subject and for giving me patronage and support.
Ankur Puri

CHAPTER
NUMBER
TOPICCONTENTS PAGE NO. SIGNATURE
Chapter 1.
Chapter 2.
Chapter 3.
Chapter 4.
Chapter 5.
Chapter 6.
Chapter 7.
Chapter 8.
Chapter 9.
Chapter 10.
Introduction
Research
methodology
Objectives
Surgeries associated
with medical
tourism.
Scope of medical
tourism in India
Favorable places for
medical tourism.
Government
contribution in
medical tourism.
Conclusion
Findings &
suggestions
Bibliography
Questionnaires
1
6
7
8-34
35-49
50-53
54-68
69-70
71-78
79

What's called Medical tourism or Medical travel or
Healthy tourism? It is a term initially coined by travel
agencies and the mass media to describe the rapidly-
growing practice of traveling across international borders to
obtain health care. Patients going to a different country for
either urgent or elective medical procedures? And is fast
becoming a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry. Such
services typically include elective procedures as well as
complex specialized surgeries such as joint replacement
(knee/hip), cardiac surgery, dental surgery, and cosmetic
surgeries. However, virtually every type of health care,
including psychiatry, alternative treatments, convalescent
care and even burial services are available. As a practical
matter, providers and customers commonly use informal
channels of communication-connection-contract, and in
such cases this tends to mean less regulatory or legal
oversight to assure quality and less formal recourse to
reimbursement or redress, if needed.

HISTORY OF MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical tourism is actually thousands of years old. In
ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all
over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the
healing god, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Roman
Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at Bath, a
practice that continued for 2,000 years. From the
18th century wealthy Europeans travelled to spas
from Germany to the Nile. In the 21st century,
relatively low-cost jet travel has taken the industry
beyond the wealthy and desperate. Spa towns and
sanitariums may be considered an early form of
medical tourism. In eighteenth century England, for
example, med trotters visited spas because they were
places with supposedly health-giving mineral waters,
treating diseases from gout to liver disorders and
bronchitis.

REASON FOR MEDICAL TOURISM
The reasons patients travel for treatment vary.
• Many medical tourists from the United States are seeking
treatment at a quarter or sometimes even a 10th of the COST AT
HOME.
PROCEDURE USA INDIA (USD) THAILAND SINGAPORE
Heart Bypass USD 1,00,000 USD 7,200 USD 11,000 USD 16,500
Angioplasty USD 1,60,000 USD 7,000 USD 10,000 USD 15,000
Hip Replacement USD 43,000 USD 7,100 USD 12,000 USD 9,200
Knee Replacement USD 40,000 USD 8,500 USD 10,000 USD 11,000
Spine Fusion USD 62,000 USD 7,500 USD 8,500 USD 10,000
Lap. Gastric Bypass USD 35,000 USD 9,200 USD 10,200 USD 11,500
Tummy Tuck USD 10,000 USD 4,500 USD 5,500 USD 6,550
Dental Implant USD 10,000 USD 1,500 USD 2,000 USD 2,400

• From Canada, it is often people who are frustrated by
long waiting times.
• From Great Britain, the patient can't wait for treatment
by the National Health Service but also can't afford to
see a physician in private practice.
• For others, becoming a medical tourist is a chance to
combine a tropical vacation with elective or plastic
surgery.
• And more patients are coming from poorer countries
such as Bangladesh where treatment may not be
available.

PROCESS FOR MEDICAL TOURISM
The typical process is as follows:
The person seeking medical treatment abroad contacts a medical
tourism provider.
The provider usually requires the patient to provide a medical
report, including the nature of ailment, local doctor’s opinion,
medical history, and diagnosis, and may request additional
information. Certified medical doctors or consultants then advise
on the medical treatment.
The approximate expenditure, choice of hospitals and tourist
destinations, and duration of stay, etc., is discussed.
After signing consent bonds and agreements, the patient is given
recommendation letters for a medical visa, to be procured from
the concerned embassy.
The patient travels to the destination country, where the medical
tourism provider assigns a case executive, who takes care of the
patient's accommodation, treatment and any other form of care.
Once the treatment is done, the patient can remain in the tourist
destination or return home.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
I have selected the following method to collect information
for the project
• Experimental
 Questionnaire
 Interviews
 Survey
• Exploratory
 Internet
 Magazines
 Newspaper
 Brochures

• TO KNOW ABOUT SURGERIES
ASSICIATED WITH MEDICAL
TOURISM
• TO KNOW SCOPE OF MEDICAL
TOURISM IN INDIA
• TO KNOW FAVAORABLE PLACES
FOR MEDICAL TOURISM
• TO KNOW GOVERNMENT
CONTRIBUTION IN MEDICAL
TOURISM

• TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
• TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
• CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY
• PHAROPLASTY ("EYELID SURGERY")
• FACE LIFT (RHYTIDECTOMY)
• RHINOPLASTY (NOSE JOB): RESHAPING OF THE NOSE
• ABDOMINOPLASTY (TUMMY TUCK) RESHAPING AND
FIRMING OF THE ABDOMEN
• BREAST LIFTS (MASTOPEXY):
• LASIK LASER EYE SURGERY OR KERATOMILEUSIS.

TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
Knee Replacement Surgery also known Total Knee Arthroplasty is a cure of
painful knees, knee arthritis and other knee related issues. Knee Replacement is a
surgical procedure during which the bones of the knee are resurfaced with metal
and plastic implants. The weight passing through the knee should be well
distributed for which the bones of the knee are well aligned.
In total knee replacement surgery, the parts of the bones that rub together are
resurfaced with metal and plastic implants. Using special, precision instruments,
your surgeon will typically remove the damaged surfaces of all three bones. The
replacement surfaces will then be fixed into place.
Sometimes also called "resurfacing", this operation involves the removal of the
damaged, worn ends of the thigh (femur), and leg (tibia) bones that make up the
knee joint, as well as the back of the kneecap (patella). The bone ends are precisely
reshaped and recapped with metal surfaces, with special plastic liners added as a
bearing surface that promotes low friction gliding between metal and plastic.

TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Hip arthroplasty is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a
prosthetic implant. Such joint replacement orthopedic surgery generally it is conducted
to relieve arthritis pain or fix severe physical joint damage as part of the hip fracture
treatment. Hip replacements under go lots of cyclical stress.
SYMPTOMS
• Pain that keeps you awake at night
• Little or no relief from pain medications
• Difficulty in walking up or down stairs
• Trouble standing from a seated position
• Having to stop activities you enjoy,such as walking, because you're in too much
pain.
COMPLICATION
In the short term post-operatively, infection is a major concern. Reported rates are
about 1%. Deep infection will often require one or two stage revision surgery with an
extended hospital stay and antibiotics. Recurrent dislocation is another indication for
revision. The rate is also about 1%.
WOUND CARE
You will have stitches or staples running along your wound or a suture beneath your
skin. The stitches or staples will be removed approximately 2 weeks after surgery.
DIET
Some loss of appetite is common for several weeks after surgery. A balanced diet, often
with an iron supplement, is important to promote proper tissue healing and restore
muscle strength. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
ACTIVITY
Exercise is a critical component of home care, particularly during the first few weeks
after surgery. You should be able to resume most normal light activities of daily living
within 3 to 6 weeks following surgery.
Your activity program should include:

CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY
Coronary
angiography is an X-ray examination of the blood vessels or
chambers of the heart. A very small tube (catheter) is inserted into
a blood vessel in your upper thigh (groin area) or arm. The tip of
the tube is positioned either in the heart or at the beginning of the
arteries supplying the heart, and a special fluid (called a contrast
medium or dye) is injected. This fluid is visible by X-ray, and the
pictures that are obtained are called angiograms
BENEFITS:
• No radiation remains in a patient's body after an x-ray examination.
• X-rays usually have no side effects
• Angiography may eliminate the need for surgery. If surgery remains
necessary, it can be performed more accurately.

ANGIOGRAPHY USUALLY TAKES ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TO COMPLETE.
RISKS:
Because angiography involves puncturing an artery, internal bleeding or
haemorrhage are possible complications of the test.
X-rays carry risks of ionizing radiation exposure to the fetus; pregnant
women are also advised to avoid this procedure.
• There is always a slight chance of cancer from radiation. However,
the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk.
• Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist if
there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• If you have diabetes or kidney disease, the kidneys may be injured
when contrast material is eliminated through the urine.
• The catheter may damage a coronary artery. If this occurs, the artery
may be repaired by emergency heart surgery.
• A stroke.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY
After coronary angiography, you will be moved to a special care area,
where you will rest and be monitored for several hours or overnight.
During this time, your movement will be limited to avoid bleeding
from the site where the catheter was inserted. While you recover in
this area, nurses will check your heart rate and blood pressure
regularly and see if there is any bleeding from the tube insertion site.
A small bruise may develop on your arm, groin (upper thigh), or
neck at the site where the catheter was inserted. That area may feel
sore or tender for about a week. Be sure to let your doctor know if
you develop problems such as:
• A constant or large amount of blood at the site that can't be
stopped with a small bandage
• Unusual pain, swelling, redness, or other signs of infection at or
near the insertion site
BLEPHAROPLASTY ("EYELID
SURGERY")

Reshaping of the eyelids or the application of
permanent eyeliner, including Asian
Blepharoplasty
The commonest eyelid procedure is known as
Blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty reduces fat and removes excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower
eyelids
Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Surgery is mainly done to patients who want to remove their excess fat in the upper
eye lids and in the eye bags. These accumulations of fat will make you look tired and older than you are
actually. So reduction of the fat is possible by the cosmetic
POST EFFECTS OF BLEPHAROPLASTY
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk. Blepharoplasties are normally safe, as long as patients are
carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped and the physician is a certified Plastic
Surgeon.
All the surgeries are not positive it can have bleeding and swelling at the corners. You can have double
or blurred vision. You can have problem in pulling down the lower lids.
• Difficulty closing the eyes. - This is generally temporary as the scars heal, but can be permanent
in some cases, leading to difficulty sleeping.
Ectropion - A very rare complication which results in a downward pulling on the lower lids. Additional
surgery may be required to correct ectropion
FACE LIFT (RHYTIDECTOMY)

.
Removal of wrinkles and signs of aging from the face.
The “Feather-Lift” is a non-surgical approach to facial lifting utilizing the
patented “Aptos threads”.
POST TREATMENT EFFECT(S)
There may be discoloration of the skin (black and blue) for several
weeks.
Surgery necessary to perform the procedure, as in all surgery, involves
certain risks, including but not limited to the following
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Tissue Damage
• Nerve Injury

Technically known as Rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to
improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as
• Sagging in the mid-face
• Deep creases below the lower eyelids
• Deep creases between the nose and mouth
• Fat that has fallen or is displaced
• Loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may create jowls
• Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw
A facelift is designed to correct all of these aging features, restoring a more
youthful, rested appearance with uplifted contours and improved tone in
facial skin and underlying muscle.

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): Reshaping Of The Nose
Rhinoplasty is
cosmetic surgery of the nose. It is also known as nasal refinement
of the bones of the nose and re-setting them in the desired shape,
often narrow and straight.
PLEASE NOTE: About two weeks after the operation, some
swelling will have subsided, usually enough to return to work or
visit friends. The majority of swelling should subside in 6 - 8
weeks. The healing process can take up to 12 months, and during
this time you will see progressive improvement in the fine details
of your nose. Normal breathing at times may take up to three
months to recover completely.

ABDOMINOPLASTY (TUMMY TUCK) RESHAPING
AND FIRMING OF THE ABDOMEN
POST TREATMENT EFFECT(S):
Reaction to anesthesia·
Abdominoplasty, the medical term for what is commonly known as
"tummy tuck," involves surgically removing excess skin and fat from the
middle and lower part of the abdomen and sometimes tightening the
abdominal muscles
Sahara Medical offers Abdominoplasty which is a major surgical
procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower
abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The
procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding
abdomen.
FACTS ABOUT ABDOMINOPLASTY
• Tummy tucks are among the five most popular cosmetic surgery
procedures.
• The results of a tummy tuck depends on the patient's age at the time
of the operation, physical condition, type of skin and any changes in
weight.
• The two most common types of tummy tuck are the full tummy tuck
(requiring general anesthesia and a short hospital stay) and the mini
tummy tuck, which may require only local anesthesia and can be
done on an outpatient basis.
Abdominoplasty is generally safe. Any surgery, however, has the potential
for complications and the patient should clearly understand any and all
risks involved.

Unplanned hospital admission·
A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma, or "blood blister")·
Slow healing and excess scarring·
A degree of permanent numbness of the abdomen·
Occasional bleeding·
Infection·
Blood clots, particularly in women taking birth control pills·
BREAST LIFTS (MASTOPEXY):
Lifting or reshaping of breasts to make them less saggy,
such as weight loss after a pregnancy. It involves removal of
breast skin as opposed to glandular tissue.

The breast lift raises and tightens the sagging breast.
Candidates for breast lift surgery are those with loose skin
or women who have lost volume and tone after children.
Under some circumstances, breast lift patients may have
implants and breast lifts performed simultaneously. Breast
lift surgery scars are permanent, but over time fade to some
extent. In addition to the benefits of breast lift surgery,
make sure you understand its limitations.
 don’t expect perfection.
 have realistic expectations. Breast lift can reshape your
body, but not you’re life
KERATOMILEUSIS. OR LASIK LASER EYE SURGERY
What is popularly referred to as Lasik laser eye surgery is technically
termed as Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. It is a type of refractive
surgery carried out by ophthalmologists for correcting myopia, hyperopia,
and astigmatism. The surgery is a relatively simple process and is carried
out while the patient is awake but a mild sedative and anesthetic eye drops

are administered to block out the pain. Lasik eye surgery is performed in
the following broad steps
• First an anesthetic drop is administered to the eye and then an
instrument called lid speculum is used to keep the eyelids open.
Following this a ring is placed on the eye and very high pressure is
applied to create suction in the cornea. At this stage the doctor uses
a microkeratome to cut a flap in the eye.
• Once the eye is fixed in the correct position the laser is started. The
laser will help to vaporize a particular amount of tissue, which is pre-
fixed by the surgeon based on initial analysis.
• In the third and final stage the flap is replaced and a shield to guard
the eye is put on the patient. The flap is not stitched back so it’s
important to protect the eye with the shield.
One of the most important steps to the Lasik eye surgery occurs much
before the patient is taken to the operation table. The pre-surgical
evaluation of the patient’s ophthalmic and medical history is that stage. If
you have been traditionally using contact lenses you will need to stay away
from them for 2 to 4 weeks prior to this evaluation for it to be accurate.
For patients using soft contact lenses the period is of 2 weeks, semi soft
it’s 3 and for users of hard lenses it is 4 weeks. Lasik eye surgery as we are
aware, changes the shape of the cornea of the eye, so do lenses except in
this case they are temporary. It is this temporary distortion of the normal
shape of the cornea that needs to be avoided by avoiding the contact
lenses. The cornea is what is vaporized during Lasik surgery therefore
knowing its original shape and size is of utmost importance to the
surgeons.
It is always advisable to take someone along to drive to and from the
ophthalmic evaluation as well as the Lasik eye surgery. This is because
some medicines administered by doctors during the evaluation and both
before and after the surgery may cause blurred vision. Another important
factor to remember is to stop the use of any make up, perfumes, creams
or lotions around the eye or on the lashes one day prior to the surgery as
they may cause infection after the procedure. Some surgeons also request

patients to scrub the eyelashes to remove the debris of these products that
might have been used before for Lasik eye surgery.
For a normal Lasik eye surgery a few days of rest period proves sufficient.
Pain killers might need to be taken initially and the protective shield has
to be kept on for sometime. Itching, watering of the eye, blurred vision
are common occurrences following the surgery but they should improve
considerably within the first two days.
HAIR REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Hair transplant is in simple terms the process of taking hair from the location where
its not required and planting it in a location where it is, which in majority cases is the
most visible part of the head. This location gets first priority as absence of hair at this
location makes a person appear bald. From ancient times baldness is associated with
advanced years, it’s an old man who is conventionally visualized as bald and similarly
represented in art. Hair transplant is one of the most dynamic areas of scientific
research today and latest developments are making it better and better at a fast pace.
We must however try to remember that during hair transplant the doctors do not
create new hair; they simply rearrange hair that’s already there so the effects might
not be like the head full we enjoyed to begin with. The safest area from where hair
can be uprooted and replanted in the middle of a bald patch with good possibility of

re-growth is the horse shoe shape area at the back of the head. The hair from this
area has minimum possibility of suffering loss even when put in an area where hair
loss is common. Therefore in hair transplant hair from the back of the head is
widely preferred. This hair retains its original characteristic no matter where it is re-
grafted in the head.
Hair transplant is not just a surgery; it is also a form of art as expertise that is
required from the doctors side is sometimes of the level of art. We hope you will
find the surgeon and the clinic you are looking for in our list and will begin the
process of hair transplant with us. It’s a regular procedure that is very popular in
many countries of the world, please study our list and decide on where you would
like to go for it.
THE ACTUAL PROCEDURE OF ANY HAIR
REPLACEMENT SURGERY FOLLOWS
THESE STEPS:
• A 1 cm wide & 20 cm long strip is taken from the donor site
• This piece is then cut into many fine strips which are 1 follicular unit in
width
• Following this, the above sections are further dissected into one-haired
follicular units (follicular unit graft), two-haired follicular units (micro graft),
three-haired follicular units (mini grafts), four-haired follicular units (mini
grafts), three-haired follicular groupings, four-haired follicular groupings

• Finally an incision of the exact size of the graft and in the natural direction
of hair growth is made on the donors scalp and the grafting is done.
This latest method of hair replacement surgery using natural hair is more
successful as it requires less time and leaves less likelihood of injuries to
follicular units.
Hair replacement surgery, in most cases, can be carried out in the outpatient
clinic by a cosmetic surgeon, general anesthesia and sedatives are used o keep
the patient comfortable , sometimes several procedures may be required to
achieve the desired result and the recovery time usually depends on the
complexity of the procedure.
Hair replacement is as such an elective procedure if it is undertaken only for
cosmetic purposes, however as mentioned earlier for patients who are required
to undergo the procedure as a result of suffering hair loss brought about by
burning or accidents , it is often covered by insurance. Please do have a clear
talk with your insurance agent and your doctor if your hair replacement surgery
falls in this category to get an insurance approval for it.
Many hospitals in many countries offer this sort of treatment, the surgeons are
highly experienced and the results are satisfactory. We have listed down several
attractive options of getting a hair replacement surgery done in destinations
outside the UK and the USA, study them, and take an informed decision that
has the potential to change much more than your physical appearance.

INDIA
India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism-and
now it is moving into a new area of "medical outsourcing," where
subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems
in western countries.
India's National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is
legally an "export" and deemed "eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to
export earnings." Government and private sector studies in India estimate
that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US
into the country by 2012. The reports estimate that medical tourism to
India is growing by 30 per cent a year.
India's top-rated education system is not only churning out computer
programmers and engineers, but an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 doctors
and nurses each year.
The largest of the estimated half-dozen medical corporations in India
serving medical tourists is Apollo Hospital Enterprises, which treated an
estimated 60,000 patients between 2001 and spring 2004. It is Apollo that
is aggressively moving into medical outsourcing. Apollo already provides
overnight computer services for U.S. insurance companies and hospitals
as well as working with big pharmaceutical corporations with drug trials.
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, the chairman of the company, began negotiations
in the spring of 2004 with Britain's National Health Service to work as a
subcontractor, to do operations and medical tests for patients at a fraction
of the cost in Britain for either government or private care.

Apollo's business began to grow in the 1990s, with the deregulation of the
Indian economy, which drastically cut the bureaucratic barriers to
expansion and made it easier to import the most modern medical
equipment. The first patients were Indian expatriates who returned home
for treatment; major investment houses followed with money and then
patients from Europe, the Middle East and Canada began to arrive.
Apollo now has 37 hospitals, with about 7,000 beds. The company is in
partnership in hospitals in Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
Western patients usually get a package deal that includes flights, transfers,
hotels, treatment and often a post-operative vacation.
Apollo has also reacted to criticism by Indian politicians by expanding its
services to India's millions of poor. It has set aside free beds for those who
can't afford care, has set up a trust fund and is pioneering remote, satellite-
linked telemedicine across India.

Medical Tourism India
- Where the entire world meets for the best in Health Care
Medical Tourism in India is one of the best options available to people
across the globe. Millions come every year to get treated and
then enjoy their recuperative holidays across India. People
from different walks of life cut across the entire span of the
globe come to India to have their treatments done with peace
of mind. India provides world class medical facilities with hospitals and
specialized multi specialty health centers providing their expertise in the
areas of Cosmetic Surgery, Dental care, Heart Surgeries, Coronary
Bypass, Heart Check up, Valve replacements, Knee Replacements, Eye
surgeries, Indian traditional treatments like Ayurvedic Therapies and
much more, practically covering every aspect of medicine combining
modern treatments with traditional experience
India is considered the most important country promoting medical
tourism. India is one of the most touted medical tourism destinations in
the world. India is a recent entrant into medical tourism. According to a
study by McKinsey and the Confederation of Indian Industry, medical
tourism in India could become a $1 billion business by 2012. The report
predicts that: "By 2012, if medical tourism were to reach 25 per cent of
revenues of private up-market players, up to 2,297,794,117 USD will be
added to the revenues of these players". The Indian government predicts
that India's $17-billion-a-year health-care industry could grow 13 per cent
in each of the next six years, boosted by medical tourism, which industry
watchers say is growing at 30 per cent annually.
Price advantage is a major selling point. The slogan, thus is, "First World
treatment' at Third World prices". The cost differential across the board is
huge: only a tenth and sometimes even a sixteenth of the cost in the West.
Open-heart surgery could cost up to $70,000 in Britain and up to
$150,000 in the US; in India's best hospitals it could cost between $3,000
and $10,000. Knee surgery (on both knees) costs 350,000 rupees ($7,700)

in India; in Britain this costs £10,000 ($16,950), more than twice as much.
Dental, eye and cosmetic surgeries in Western countries cost three to four
times as much as in India.
India have a lot of hospitals offering world class treatments in nearly every
medical sector such as cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint
replacement, orthopedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology,
transplants and urology to name a few. The various specialties covered are
Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology,
Endocrinology, ENT, Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Neurology,
Urology, Nephrology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Plastic Surgery,
Gynecology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, General Medicine & General
Surgery
For long promoted for its cultural and scenic beauty, India is now being
put up on international map as a heaven for those seeking quality and
affordable healthcare. Analysts say that as many as 150,000 medical
tourists came to India in 2004. As Indian corporate hospitals are on par, if
not better than the best hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc there is
scope for improvement, and the country is becoming a preferred medical
destination. In addition to the increasingly top class medical care, a big
draw for foreign patients is also the very minimal or hardly any waitlist as
is common in European or American hospitals.
Leisure Tourism is already very much in demand in India as the country
offers diverse cultural and scenic beauty. India has almost all sort of
destinations like high mountains, vast deserts, scenic beaches, historical
monuments, religious temples etc. Known for its hospitality for tourists,
the county has opened doors to welcome with the same hospitality.

FEW FACTS ABOUT MEDICAL TOURISM IN INDIA
INDIA FOSTERS GROWING 'MEDICAL TOURISM' SECTOR
India is hoping to expand its tourist industry – to include visitors with heart
conditions and cataracts. Indeed, medical tourism, where foreigners travel abroad in
search of low cost, world-class medical treatment, is gaining popularity in countries
like India. The field has such lucrative potential that Indian finance minister Jaswant
Singh called for India to become a “global health destination.” And, with prices at a
fraction of those in the US or Britain, the concept will likely have broad consumer
appeal – if people can overcome their prejudices about health care in developing
countries. Though the quality of health care for the poor in countries like India is
undeniably low, private facilities offer advanced technology and procedures on par
with hospitals in developed nations. One Indian hospital director maintains, "In a
corporate hospital, once the door is closed you could be in a hospital in America.” –
YaleGlobal
ECONOMIST.COM | MEDICAL TOURISM TO INDIA
FOR someone about to undergo surgery to remove gallstones, David Potter, a 63-
year-old Briton, is remarkably chipper. Pushing a walking-frame he hardly seems to
need, he testifies to the success of an earlier operation, to replace a hip. Both are
standard surgical procedures
PROMOTING HEALTH AND MEDICAL TOURISM IN INDIA - LOOKIN -
EXPRESS ...
Health and medical tourism is perceived as one of the fastest growing segments in
marketing ‘Destination India’ today. While this area has so far been relatively
unexplored, we now find that not only the ministry of tourism, government of India,
but also the various state tourism boards and even the private sector consisting of
travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies and other accommodation providers
are all eying health and medical tourism as a segment with tremendous potential for
future growth.
INDIA DAILY – MEDICAL TOURISM IN INDIA MAY BE WORTH US$2.3
BILLION ...
With an increasing number of foreign patients flocking to India for treatment, the
country could earn Rs 100 billion (US$2.3 billion) through 'Medical Tourism' by
2012, a study has indicated.

According to the study conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and
McKinsey consultants, last year some 150,000 foreigners visited India for
treatment, with the number rising by 15 per cent a year.
With a large pool of highly trained doctors and low treatment cost, healthcare aims
to replicate the Indian software sector's success. Built on acres of land the new sleek
medical centres of excellence offer developed world treatment at developing world
prices.
INDIA CAN EARN $1 BILLION FROM MEDICAL TOURISM
India could earn more than $1 billion annually and create 40 million new jobs by
sub-contracting work from the British National Health Service, the head of India's
largest chain of private hospitals told rediff.com.
Houston-trained Dr Prathap C Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals, also said he was
waiting for a reply to his proposal to carry out operations at a fraction of what they
would cost in the United Kingdom.
Details of the multi-million dollar package are also carried in this week's edition of
India Abroad.
They include surgery for hip and knee replacements and coronary bypass that would
slash waiting times dramatically, reducing the queues of British patients waiting to see
their doctors.
"We have well equipped, state-of-the-art hospitals and we can offer the same level of
care as anywhere else in the world," Dr Reddy said.
"There is no reason why we should not become the healthcare destination of the
world."...
CBC NEWS INDEPTH: HEALTH CARE
A worldwide market
What's called medical tourism – patients going to a different country for either urgent or elective medical
procedures – is fast becoming a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry.
The reasons patients travel for treatment vary. Many medical tourists from the United States are seeking
treatment at a quarter or sometimes even a 10th of the cost at home. From Canada, it is often people who
are frustrated by long waiting times. From Great Britain, the patient can't wait for treatment by the National

Health Service but also can't afford to see a physician in private practice. For others, becoming a medical
tourist is a chance to combine a tropical vacation with elective or plastic surgery.
And more patients are coming from poorer countries such as Bangladesh where treatment may not be
available.
Medical tourism is actually thousands of years old. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all
over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Roman Britain,
patients took the waters at a shrine at Bath, a practice that continued for 2,000 years. From the 18th
century wealthy Europeans travelled to spas from Germany to the Nile. In the 21st century, relatively low-
cost jet travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate.
Countries that actively promote medical tourism include Cuba, Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Israel, Jordan,
Lithuania, Malaysia and Thailand. Belgium, Poland and Singapore are now entering the field. South Africa
specializes in medical safaris-visit the country for a safari, with a stopover for plastic surgery, a nose job and
a chance to see lions and elephants.
India
India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism-and now it is moving into a new area of
"medical outsourcing," where subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems in
western countries.
India's National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an "export" and deemed
"eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings." Government and private sector studies in India
estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by 2012. The
reports estimate that medical tourism to India is growing by 30 per cent a year.
WHY IS INDIA MOST
SUITABLE?
Indian corporate hospitals excel in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery,
joint replacement, orthopedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology,
Surgery

The various facilities in India include full body pathology, comprehensive
physical and gynecological examinations, dental checkup, eye checkup,
diet consultation, audiometry, spirometry, stress & lifestyle management,
pap smear, digital Chest X-ray, 12 lead ECG, 2D echo colour Doppler,
gold standard DXA bone densitometry, body fat analysis, coronary risk
markers, cancer risk markers, carotid colour Doppler, spiral CT scan and
high strength MRI. Each test is carried out by professional M.D.
physicians, and is comprehensive yet pain-free.
There is also a gamut of services ranging from General Radiography,
Ultra Sonography, Mammography to high end services like Magnetic
Resonance Imaging, Digital Subtraction Angiography along with
intervention procedures, Nuclear Imaging. The diagnostic facilities
offered in India are comprehensive to include Laboratory services,
Imaging, Cardiology, Neurology and Pulmonology. The Laboratory
services include biochemistry, hematology, microbiology, serology,
histopathology, transfusion medicine and RIA.
All medical investigations are conducted on the latest, technologically
advanced diagnostic equipment. Stringent quality assurance exercises
ensure reliable and high quality test results.
As Indian corporate hospitals are on par, if not better than the best
hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc there is scope for improvement, and
the country may become a preferred medical destination. In addition to
the increasingly top class medical care, a big draw for foreign patients is
also the very minimal or hardly any waitlist as is common in European or
American hospitals. In fact, priority treatment is provided today in Indian
hospitals.
The Apollo Group, Escorts Hospitals in New Delhi and Jaslok Hospitals
in Mumbai are to name a few which are established names even abroad.
A list of corporate hospitals such as Global Hospitals, CARE and Dr L.V.
Prasad Eye Hospitals in Hyderabad, The Hindujas and NM Excellence in
Mumbai, also have built capabilities and are handling a steadily increasing
flow of foreign patients. India has much more expertise than say Thailand

or Malaysia. The infrastructure in some of India's hospitals is also very
good. What is more significant is that the costs are much less, almost one-
third of those in other Asian countries
Number of people having visited India for as medical tourists:
India now hosts and treats an estimated of 50,000 medical tourists a year
and the catalytic CII-McKinsey report of 2002 projected that medical
tourism could contribute up to Rs 10,000 crores in revenue by the year
2012.
RE-OPENING OF
THE TAJ AND TRIDENT
REKINDLES GROWTH OF MEDICAL TOURISM.
December 23rd, 2008 ·
Barely a month after the terror attacks in Mumbai, the fire-scarred TAJ
and TRIDENT are open for business and stands strong ready to welcome
guests to the recuperated sections of the hotel. Guests, including foreign
nationals and medical tourists from various countries who need
immediate medical care have fearlessly chosen these hotels for stay.
Global economic freeze had encouraged several medical tourists to fly
down to India to avail quality medical treatment at a low cost. Millions of
uninsured and baby boomers in the US were left with no choice but to
opt for medical tourism for medical treatments. But the terror attacks in

Mumbai On the 26th of November seemed to have weakened the
business prospects of health tourism in India. But not for long!
The re-opening of the Taj, Trident and the Oberoi within a span of 20
days shows the determination of the hotel owners to show the world the
undying spirit and the strength of India. The sight of localities and foreign
nationals walking into the gates of these hotels surely is an encouraging
sight to the hotel owners. It symbolized their confidence in the spirit of
India to fight back terror and show their strength amidst tough times.
State wise preparation in progress:
Karnataka is now preparing to promote premier government institutions
as medical tourism destinations. “The department of Tourism with the
Health and Family Welfare department has identified centres of
excellence in the government health sector — such as Jayadeva Institute of
Cardiology and the Kidwai Institute of Oncology — which will be
promoted abroad as places for specialised treatment at affordable costs,”
said health commissioner Basavaraju.
Moreover, what is now being called the Andhra Pradesh model stems
from the provision of universal health insurance in three districts, and AP
chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy has called for bids in six other
districts.
Thus, as Dr Pratap C Reddy of Apollo Hospitals emphasised,
insurance cover and accessibility can drive change. “In Aragonda, Andhra

Pradesh, with a contribution of a rupee a day a constable’s son was able to
have a bone marrow transplantation done at the best facility. Nobody can
afford to pay for major illnesses, and we need a mechanism to make
hospital procedures cashless. That is possible only with insurance.”
After going through the above, what could be the wish list of a common
man for making medical tourism a big success for India? Some of these
are summarized below:
Let there be an identical agency like NAASCOM for medical tourism to
periodically come out realistic reports for bettering the services in the days
to come.
Why only private sector gains - why not public sector too, from the
earnings of medical tourism - a thorough study need to be done by
involving the experts.
The rates charged or services offered could be further subsidized so that
people from different parts of the world throng to our hospitals for getting
timely, immediate and quality care all at an affordable cost so that at least
by word of mouth the message gets well spread across different sections of
the societies.
ESI hospitals too can join this race by selectively opening up their doors
so that their income gets a big boost, which could be optimally utilised for
bettering the services from all angles benefiting the registered care seeker.
Let our foreign consulate offices act as ambassadors for promoting
medical tourism to get this business a big boost.
Let there be innovative schemes by targeting medical tourists so that they
return back with great feeling of comfort, satisfaction and joy.

MEDICAL TOURISM GROWS EXPONENTIALLY
Medical tourism is a recognized industry in the west. When Information
Technology, manufacturing and technical support jobs went eastward,
nobody even bothered to think that healthcare might take the same road
somebody. But it did. And that’s good news for countries like India,
Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines.
Medical care in these Asian countries cost just one-tenth of the costs in
U.S.A. No wonder 50,000 Americans traveled abroad for medical care in
2006. Surgical care and dental treatment top the list of health care needs
of people from America and U.K. Several of the hospitals in these
countries boast state-of-the-art facilities, skilled medical professionals and
medical care on par with western countries.
Insurance companies in the U.S.A. have started to recognize this form of
medical care in another country as a viable alternative to high-cost medical
care in the U.S. The Economic Times has a report that suggests that

western insurance companies are considering covering medical tourism,
as well. If one tenth of Americans travel abroad for treatment, the
insurance companies could save around $1.4 billion. The report
recommends that companies should consider offering SOP’s like lowered
premiums or added services to boost medical tourism as it improves their
bottom-line, eventually. This would again be a great impetus for medical
tourism in countries like India.

Mediescapes India is India's first medical tourism promotion
company fully owned by Indians, run with the cooperation of Indian
doctors / medical specialists, and promoting Indian Hospitals / Clinics /
Health Care System to patients worldwide.
1) Patients are encouraged to FIRST send their medical records to our
mailing address (mentioned on the Contact Us web page) and then seek
cost estimates / duration of treatment for their respective medical
conditions. All medical records are treated as confidential by us and
images of patients received (for cosmetic procedures as well as
testimonials / feedback) are never shared / disclosed by Mediescapes
India.
(2) Please note, Mediescapes India will not reply to patients’ enquiries
whose current medical records, including imaging films such as recent
MRIs / X-Rays / CT Scans / OPG Images for dental / front or side view
for cosmetic / Bariatric surgery etc. are not available to our consultant for
evaluation. Neither will we respond to medical enquiries without an
accompanying filled-in Medical Questionnaire (we have medical
questionnaires for respective medical conditions that have been
developed by our medical consultants’ team and which may require
filling-in with the help of the patient’s family physician). The
questionnaires are meant for screening a patient’s case followed by
evaluation of his/her medical records by our panel of eminent medical
consultants.
(3) Patients are discouraged from window-shopping for their health by
sending one-line questions to Mediescapes India such as "How much will
this treatment cost?" without transmitting their medical condition records /
summary as your medical condition needs to be screened first and then

evaluated by our panel of Board-certified eminent medical consultants
practicing in JCI-Accredited / ISO-Certified Hospitals of repute.
(4) Mediescapes India retains the right to charge adjustable screening fees
with medical cost estimates in advance in selected cases from patients’
enquiries originating in Bangladesh / Pakistan / Afghanistan / Sri Lanka /
Bhutan / Maldives and African countries before disseminating treatment
plans / medical opinions to these countries’ patients and or medical
enquiries originating from other selected countries.
Information provided on this unique Medical Portal Website is for
general medical education and to let patients know what to expect during
a opt -in medical procedures in India. Such information is subject to
change. Mediescapes India. Com does not guarantee that the
information is accurate or complete, and is not responsible for any actions
resulting from the use of this information. General information provided
in this fashion should not be construed as specific medical advice or
recommendation, and is not a substitute for consultation of and physical
examination by a physician. Only discussion of your individual needs with
a qualified physician will determine the best method of treatment for you.
All doctors listed on this unique Indian medical portal website are Board-
certified and are well-known surgeons / medical consultants
attached to super-speciality tertiary health care institutes / hospitals /
clinics of repute in India.
SUGGESTED HOSPITALS / CLINICS

Suggested Hospitals / Clinics
Mediescapes India thanks the
JCI / ISO accredited medical
institutions of repute in India and
overseas whose association with us
has made this unique medical
portal website in India possible.
Artificial Limbs Clinic, New
Delhi
Ayurvedagram Wellness Centre,
Bangalore
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
Bariatric Surgery Hospital, New
Delhi
Cosmetic Laser Clinic, New
Delhi
Dental Implants Clinic, New
Delhi
EECP and ACT Hospital,
Ludhiana
Lakeshore Hospitals, Cochin
Lifeline Hospitals, Chennai
MAX Healthcare Hospitals,
New Delhi
MIOT Hospitals, Chennai
Moolchand IVF & Women
Hospital, New Delhi
Madras ENT Research
Foundation, Chennai
Narayana Hrudayalaya,
Our Medical Consultants'
Panel
Mediescapes India thanks our
associated Board-certified
surgeons / senior medical
consultants’ team that also
helped to make this unique
medical portal website in India
possible.
Ayurveda Treatment Physicians
in India
Bone Marrow Treatment
Consultant India
Bariatric Surgery Surgeons in
India
Cardio and Cardio Thoracic
Consultant India
Cord Blood Storing and
Transplant in India
Cosmetic Surgery Consultant in
India
Dermatology / Laser Consultant
India
Dental Consultant in India
ENT Consultant in India
ECP Consultant in India
General Surgery Consultant in
India
IVF Consultants in India
Nephrology and Urology

Bangalore
Naturopathy Centre & Spa,
Saharanpur
Vitiligo & Lipolysis Clinic,
Bangalore
Physiotherapy & Rehab. Clinic,
Mumbai
Parkway Group Hospitals,
Singapore
Shroff Eye Hospital, Mumbai
Tushita Meditation Centre,
Dharamshala
Tiantan Puhua Stem Cell
Hospital, China
Yoga Centre, Dehradun
Consultant in India
Neurology Consultant in India
Naturopathy Consultant in India
Nuclear Medicines Consultant in
India
Orthopedic Consultant in India
Ophthalmology (Eye care)
Consultant in India
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Consultant India
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Consultant
Pediatrics Consultant in India
Spinal Surgeon in India
Stem Cell Consultants in India
Vascular Surgery Consultant in
India

INDIAN GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGES
GROWTH OF MEDICAL TOURISM
As more and more people, hospitals and patients the world over are becoming aware of the
growth and potential of Medical Tourism; governments too are awakening
to take the necessary steps required to facilitate its growth and popularity
in their respective countries.
The Indian Government is one such body which is taking productive
measures towards ensuring that this extremely lucrative opportunity may
be available to the deserving, well equipped Indian hospitals and
practices.
The Government of India estimates that, on average, Indian hospitals
offer treatment for 20% of what it would cost in the United States, with
even bigger discounts available on cosmetic surgery. The cost of heart
surgery in India is $6,000 compared with $30,000 in the United States!
India has introduced a medical visa aimed at assisting overseas visitors to
travel to the country for cut-price hospital treatment. An initial visa is
available for up to a year and can be used for up to three visits during the
12-month period.
Speaking at World Travel Market, Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary to the
Government of India, Ministry of Tourism, said a task force had now
been formed to assess the benefits of actively promoting India as a
medical tourism destination. “It will be looking at how we can best
develop this opportunity whilst ensuring that all hospitals involved offer a
uniformly high standard of treatment.”

India is also keen to promote the more leisure-based health tourism
focusing on well-being, spas and traditional therapies.
Said Ms Nandan: “The Indian systems of medicine including Ayurveda,
Panchakarma, yoga and rejuvenation therapy are among the most ancient
medical treatments in the world.
“Health tourism is already being promoted as a key selling point in Kerala
where a number of hotels feature Ayurveda centers and it’s a facility a lot
of holiday makers are now looking for.”
Union Minister Ambika Soni recently announced that a total investment
of $6.5 billion is in the pipeline for medical tourism industry in the
country and the amount will also be used for setting up affordable
hospitals and budget hotels for patients’ relatives in the country. This
announcement highlights the increasing number of Indian private
hospitals that are finding themselves mentioned in travel itineries and are
sought out by more and more foreigners. If industry estimates are to be
believed, the size of the medical tourism industry stands at Rs 1,200-1,500
crore (Rs 12-15 billion). The Indian healthcare market is Rs 15 billion
and growing at over 30% every year.
“The trend is positive and there’s a great opportunity to leverage the ‘low-
cost, high quality model’ that India offers. If you see around the world,
there’s a problem with healthcare infrastructure everywhere. While
there’s a problem of insurance cover in the US, UK and Canada have a
long waiting time. These put a lot of stress on patients and India fits the
bill for its value for money expertise. The tie-up with the ‘Incredible
India’ campaign and start of medical visas will go a long way in promoting
India as the best healthcare destination,” says Dr Anupam Sibal, group
medical director, Indraprastha Apollo, New Delhi, which has seen a
steady rise in patient volumes from abroad.
The rising volume of foreign patients is also expected to provide impetus
to the tourism industry.
K B Kachru, country head, Carlson Group, highlights that the benefit to
tourism industry could be of the order of Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion).

“NRI’s, Asians and tourists from around the world are beginning to
realize the potential of modern and traditional Indian medicine. Health
and medical tourism is perceived to be one of the fastest growing
segments in marketing ‘Destination Incredible India’ today. While this
area has so far been relatively unexplored, we now find that not only the
ministry of tourism but also various state tourism boards are promoting
health and medical tourism as a segment with tremendous potential for
future growth,” he says.
The Government does not deny that there are still some legal and
infrastructural problems that need to be ironed out like accreditation,
quality care, transparency in pricing, easy visa rules etc but they are not
against doing the needful. The Government of India is working towards
creating a system in which investing in India and all it has to offer
becomes an easier and simpler process.

MEDICAL TOURISM AND ITS
IMPACT ON OUR GDP

Looking up for a better and prosperous contribution to the society
through medical tourism. It is time to realise the potential of making a
mark for ourselves and the country in the field of medical science by
collaborating with international medical soci.
Sharing of a wonderful experience by a foreign national:
For thousands of medical tourists like George Marshall, this debate is
invisible. In 2004, a heart bypass was recommended for the 73-year-old
British citizen, which would have cost him up to £20,000. “I had to wait
for over three months to see the cardiologist and potentially a further six
months for the operation,” he said. Instead, he paid £4,400 to Wockhardt
Hospitals for the operation. Airfare and travel insurance cost extra, and
he paid with his own money, as insurance couldn’t cover his outsourcing
of medical needs.
Existing offers available for medical tourists:
Currently, the offers available today for similar patients are specialised
services ranging from cardiology and cardiac surgery (angioplasty, bypass,
valve replacement), to oncology and onco-surgery, organ transplants (liver
and kidney), bone marrow transplants, joint replacements, eye surgery
and in-vitro fertilisation. The cost differential is significant, as it was for
Marshall, for the patients.
Reason for going in for medical tourism:
Medical tourism is attracting people from all over the industrialised world,
from countries with relatively poor healthcare infrastructures and, in case
of the US, places with exorbitantly expensive health care systems.
Medical tourists from the US are usually those seeking procedures not
covered by their insurers, those seeking necessary procedures and who
are provided with incentives to find lower cost options, and those who

cannot secure medical insurance where they depend on the procedures
and the physicians. Cosmetic procedures are easily found in South
America, while complex heart and orthopedic procedures are found in
India, Thailand and Singapore, and specialized in-vitro fertilization can be
found in South Africa, Israel and Spain.
In the global medical tourism industry, from cosmetic surgery to complex
oncology, bargain prices can be found at a medical centre somewhere in
the world. Time and money provide the incentives for seeking healthcare
outside country. In the case of public health systems with long delays,
such as Britain, time is the motivation.
Accredited hospitals are potential winners in wooing medical tourists:
Quality is a concern for potential medical tourists and what are now being
called ‘offshore hospitals’ address their concern by seeking and obtaining
accreditation from bodies such as Joint Commission International (JCI), a
subsidiary of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organisations (JCAHO), which offers accreditation to hospitals in the US.
Several other hospitals that are offering medical tourism in India meet or
exceed the standards of care of the finest hospitals located in US.
Some advantage in availing this service:
The lower cost structure of these hospitals allows them to be more
generous with resources for their well-paying clients. Nurse-to-patient
ratios are higher, private rooms are readily available and family members
are often included in the trip and made comfortable in luxury facilities
that resemble five-star hotels.
Dr Milica Bookman, professor of economics at St. Joseph’s University in
Philadelphia, US, is author of the book Medical Tourism in Developing
Countries. According to her research on the economic impact of medical

tourism, 750,000 Americans are expected to have travelled abroad for
treatment in 2007 and over six million will be doing by 2010.
Some findings done through a study report by a global agency:
According to a study by global accounting and consulting firm Ernst and
Young and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FICCI), private hospitals in India earned Rs 62,000 corer in
fiscal 2006 and revenues from the sector are expected to rise up to Rs
130,000 crores (at current prices and exchange rates) in 2012, which
represents an annual revenue growth rate of about 19 per cent a year.
Our Finance Ministry’s projections on GDP:
The Finance Ministry’s Investment Commission emphasises that
healthcare delivery is already one of the largest service-sector industries in
India, and expects the industry to grow and contribute up to five per cent
of GDP (at around Rs. 240,000 crores) by 2010.
Comments offered by lead hospital spokesperson:
“The sector is getting focused from an investment perspective,” said
Vishal Bali, chief executive of Wockhardt Hospitals, who plans to double
its hospitals to 30 from 15 in time span of two years. “The drivers for the
future are falling in place.” At the same time, Dr Pratap C Reddy,
chairman of the Apollo Hospitals Group, explained: “We need to invest
$60-70 billion over the next five years in hospitals and healthcare
education to expand this sector and reach out to masses as soon as
possible.”
Comments offered by other professionals in this field:
Ravi Duggal, a researcher with the Mumbai-based policy analysis group,
Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes, explained, “The
problem starts when a developing country, which has 75 per cent of its

population either poor living at subsistence level, collaborates in
promoting medical tourism when it cannot meet the basic healthcare
needs of a majority of its citizens.” Medical tourism creates a climate of
inequitable services that undermine the goal of health for all, in the view
of Dr Nergis Mistry, scientific researcher with the Foundation for Medical
Research, Mumbai. Mistry warns against a technology and urban-centred
approach to delivering health care: “It raises the cost of healthcare for the
local population because it forces the use of expensive technology and
drugs.”
2012.
Existing guidelines seem to be inadequate:
In the major states, health departments issue guidelines to private
hospitals specifying their obligation to provide beds, treatment and
services to the public patient, and to return a portion of revenues from
medical tourism into serving the public health overburden, but neither are
these hospital held to account on these points by their respective state
governments, nor does a standard country-wide regulatory system exist to
ensure such compliance.
Benefits are accruing only to private sectors:
A signal of state-directed change however comes from Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. “As of now, it is only the private sector
that is reaping the benefits of medical tourism in Tamil Nadu,” said health
secretary VK Subburaj, “while the government sector remains out of this
loop so far: We have been focusing on public health. However, with the

concept of ‘pay wards’ coming up in government hospitals for certain field
segments; we can expect this trend to change.”
STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO
ENHANCE MEDICAL TOURISM
The medical tourism market in India is worth US$ 333 million,2 growing
at 30 percent per annum. Due to the emergence of this industry in India,
massive tasks lie ahead to synergise the resources of the two sectors.
However there are issues and challenges that need to be addressed to
overcome the roadblocks to facilitate the growth of this industry in India.
The issues that need attention are:
1. Upgradation of basic amenities and hospital infrastructure
2. Co-ordination between the healthcare and tourism sectors
3. Creating a resource pool of highly skilled and cordial manpower
4. Standardization of services and accreditation of hospitals
5. Increasing visibility of India on the world map
6. The impact on domestic healthcare services

UPGRADATION OF BASIC AMENITIES AND HOSPITAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
Basic amenities in India are not up to international standards, especially
air connectivity, road links, conveyance services and Internet connectivity.
This gives a poor image of the country to health travelers, and also raises
doubts about the quality of healthcare facilities. The state of basic
amenities in a country has a considerable impact on the choice of
destination for health travelers. Basic amenities need to be upgraded and
made hassle free. Travel visa is another critical issue which the Indian
government plans to address by introducing special medical visas for
foreign tourists coming to India for specialized treatment. This visa will
allow the patient to bring along two attendants and will also enable him to
access the finest medical care in the most recognized hospitals in the
country, that specialize in the treatment he is seeking. The move is caught
in red tape at the moment.
The existing infrastructure facilities in private hospitals in India are
considered to be on par with those in the UK and the US. However, with
an annual growth rate of 30 percent,4 there exists a huge opportunity to
expand the hospital infrastructure. Recognizing this, the government of
India through various measures is encouraging private sector investment
in the sector. It has conferred’ infrastructure’ status for the healthcare
industry, and allowed foreign collaboration. In addition, concessions in
tax to raise cheaper long-term funds, reduction in import and custom
duties on medical equipment, increase in depreciation limit and income
tax exemption for the first five years if the hospital has a capacity of
hundred beds or more, have been granted. The concern here is
whether corporates will use these incentives as intended by the state, and
whether they will repay society in equal measure. Co-ordination between
the Healthcare and Tourism Sectors Co-ordinating the resources and
services of two unrelated sectors—healthcare and tourism—is challenging.
Strategic co-ordination essential between these two sectors can be done
through facilitation by the government. The Indian Healthcare
Federation, Medical Tourism Council of Maharashtra, FICCI,
government of India and respective state governments are coordinating to
promote this industry.

The services of both the healthcare and the tourism sector are required
simultaneously once the patient finalises the hospital from where he/she
wishes to avail of the healthcare services. Arrangement for passports, visas,
airline tickets and conveyance has to be made. The availability of doctor,
date of surgery, days to be spent in the hospital and recuperation services
have to be confirmed. All this requires co-operation from both the
hospital and the tour operator. Thus there is a need to train the people of
these two sectors to meet the requirements of this special segment of
tourists. Conferences, interaction between the two sectors, knowledge
Upgradation workshops, coaching for personality development
and investment in information technology are the ways to strengthen this
synergy.
CREATING A RESOURCE POOL OF HIGHLY
SKILLED AND CORDIAL MANPOWER
Indian doctors are well-known abroad for their qualifications and skills.
This is a big advantage for hospitals in India in attracting more medical
tourists. India has the advantage of having advanced life saving healthcare
services like organ transplants, cardio-vascular surgery, eye treatment, hip
replacement and in-vitro fertilization. There are 5,00,000 doctors and
7,37,000 nurses serving in the Indian healthcare sector and 18,000
persons get qualified as doctors each year from 170 medical colleges,
according to a CII-McKinsey report. This skilled human resource
pool can help to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services in
India. In addition to hiring and retaining skilled manpower, service
expectations of medical tourists have made it imperative for hospitals to
create an ambience of well-being and cordiality so that their clients feel
comfortable and well-attended while on treatment. Corporate hospitals
are investing in furnishing their facilities and in training and development
of personnel through seminars and short-term courses to gear them up to
meet the requirement. A major concern here is about trained medical
professionals who go abroad thus diminishing the service capabilities of

hospitals in the country. Another concern is that more that 50 percent of
these doctors are located in urban hospitals causing a shortfall in the
already stressed public healthcare system affecting the larger public
in the long run. Doctors working in these private hospitals currently
contribute to the public by participating or conducting medical camps and
providing consultancy services through telemedicine to remote villages.
But once they get assigned to foreign tourists, their continuance in public
services may become doubtful.
STANDARDIZATION IN PRICING AND
ACCREDITATION OF HOSPITALS
Standardization in pricing of various surgeries and healthcare services is
required as vast price differences exist across hospitals. The Indian
Healthcare Federation (IHF) has brought in the concept of ‘price
banding’ to bring some consistency in the prices of different therapies and
procedures, along with the move to accredit hospitals. Currently the ‘price
banding’ concept is in the consensus stage; once all the IHF members
approve it, it will be legalized through the government. Accreditation
will be used to negotiate with overseas health insurance companies to
extend their cover to include treatment in India. Both standardization in
pricing and accreditation will help Indian hospitals in attracting more
medical tourists. Dr. Naresh Trehan, the director of Escorts Heart
Institute and Research Centre, says “there are 5 crore uninsured people in
the US, where the annual premiumfor health insurance is as high as
$10,000 for a family of four. Besides, corporates are finding it increasingly
difficult to insure their employees as premium shoots up faster than
inflation due to the practice of defensive medicine to avoid litigation.
These factors will make the network of hospitals in India giving reliable
care sooner and cheaper, the ideal partner for overseas health insurance
firms.”

According to YP Bhatia, CEO of Delhi based Rajiv Gandhi Cancer
Institute, who heads the CII task force on hospital accreditation, “The
effort is to develop a comprehensive package for overseas nationals,
which will help healthcare do what IT did to the country. The CII-IHF
combine is also drafting a code of ethics on the relationship among
healthcare professionals and institutions.”
The rating agencies CRISIL and ICRA have rated hospitals like the
Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre and the Apollo group. The
requirement now is for a standard accreditation system. A quality
accreditation institution called The National Accreditation Board for
Hospital and Healthcare Service Providers (NABH) is likely to be
constituted under the aegis of the Quality Council of India. The NABH
will have three committees—Accreditation committee, Technical
committee and the Appeals committee. The proposed system
will assess hospitals based on organizational and clinical governance,
operational management, focus on patients, clinical services and human
resources, while primary healthcare centres will be assessed on their
management and clinical services by designated agencies under the overall
control of NABH.
The challenge lies in getting the consensus and legalization of this system
done. If it gets delayed in the consensus and legalization stages there will
be delay in reaping benefits it can bring for the medical tourism sector as
well. Huge investment is required to build and maintain this system.
There is thus apprehension about mismanagement of funds and
resources as this task will be carried out on a large scale around the
country. There may be scope for fake accredited hospitals to flourish
along with the well-established ones.
INCREASING VISIBILITY OF INDIA ON
THE WORLD MAP
India’s healthcare services cost far less compared to even Thailand,
Singapore and many other healthcare destinations. But it is the poor
visibility on the world healthcare tourism map and poor image of the
country in terms of poverty and basic amenities that deter people from

coming to India. Thailand and Singapore are promoting their healthcare
services aggressively which has turned their countries into healthcare hubs.
Lately, the government of India, the state governments, the Confederation
of Indian Industry and the Indian Healthcare Federation have begun
promoting India through road shows in some countries, participating in
international trade shows and exhibitions and placing advertisements in
various media abroad. Tour operators too are taking advantage of this
opportunity. Kuoni has tied-up with the Apollo group, and Cox & Kings
with Dr. Batras, Vedic India and Omkar Trust. More such tie-ups are on
the anvil. Tourism packages specifically designed for the healthcare
tourists are being aggressively promoted by these tour operators. Some
hospitals now have their own Marketing and Public Relations department.
Websites too have been set up for easy availability of information and for
immediate contact.
THE IMPACT ON DOMESTIC HEALTHCARE
SERVICES
India is one of the cheapest healthcare tourism hubs in the world
especially for advanced life saving surgeries. The inflow of medical tourists
is on the rise in India, and private hospitals are ever ready to serve this
special segment. However, concerns are being raised about the far
reaching impact of medical tourism on the public healthcare system that
serves a larger section of the Indian society.
Although healthcare services provided by private hospitals in India to foreign
patients are cheap for them, these are still exorbitant for many Indians. The private
hospitals are registered under the Public Trust Act which makes them liable to
provide healthcare services free upto 20 percent of their resources in return for
subsidies received from the government. But, it is a question that remains
unanswered as to whether they are actually providing free healthcare services to the
public.
Another concern is about increasing concentration of doctors in urban hospitals.
Currently more than 50 percent of the doctors is concentrated in the urban
hospitals, especially in the metros. Private hospitals cater to nearly 65% of the
healthcare services market. The number of medical tourists is increasing, which
means demand for private healthcare services will increase. Private hospitals will
need more medical professionals to meet the increasing demand, and the lucrative
offers and the work environment they offer will attract many. The public healthcare

sector which is disadvantaged vis-à-vis the private hospitals on these counts will be
put under further strain. If more subsidies are given to private hospitals and
changes in regulation made to suit them, their concentration in the sector
will increase. The public healthcare system will remain neglected. Thus,
there is apprehension about the benefits of medical tourism to the Indian
public.
CONCLUSION
To conclude my project I only want to tell that Medical
Tourism in India is one of the best options available to
people across the globe. Millions come every year to get
treated and then enjoy their recuperative holidays across
India. People from different walks of life cut across the
entire span of the globe come to India to have their
treatments done with peace of mind. India provides
world class medical facilities with hospitals and
specialized multi specialty health centers providing their
expertise in the areas of Cosmetic Surgery, Dental care,
Heart Surgeries, Coronary Bypass, Heart Check up,
Valve replacements, Knee Replacements, Eye surgeries,
Indian traditional treatments like Ayurvedic Therapies
and much more, practically covering every aspect of

medicine combining modern treatments with traditional
experience
India is considered the most important country
promoting medical tourism. India is one of the most
touted medical tourism destinations in the world. India is
a recent entrant into medical tourism. According to a
study by McKinsey and the Confederation of Indian
Industry, medical tourism in India could become a $1
billion business by 2012. The report predicts that: "By
2012, if medical tourism were to reach 25 per cent of
revenues of private up-market players, up to
2,297,794,117 USD will be added to the revenues of
these players". The Indian government predicts that
India's $17-billion-a-year health-care industry could
grow 13 per cent in each of the next six years, boosted by
medical tourism, which industry watchers say is growing
at 30 per cent annually.

Indian corporate hospitals excel in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery,
joint replacement, orthopedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology,
Surgery
The various facilities in India include full body pathology, comprehensive
physical and gynecological examinations, dental checkup, eye checkup,
diet consultation, audiometry, spirometry, stress & lifestyle management,
pap smear, digital Chest X-ray, 12 lead ECG, 2D echo colour Doppler,
gold standard DXA bone densitometry, body fat analysis, coronary risk
markers, cancer risk markers, carotid colour Doppler, spiral CT scan and
high strength MRI. Each test is carried out by professional M.D.
physicians, and is comprehensive yet pain-free.
There is also a gamut of services ranging from General Radiography,
Ultra Sonography, Mammography to high end services like Magnetic
Resonance Imaging, Digital Subtraction Angiography along with

intervention procedures, Nuclear Imaging. The diagnostic facilities
offered in India are comprehensive to include Laboratory services,
Imaging, Cardiology, Neurology and Pulmonology. The Laboratory
services include biochemistry, hematology, microbiology, serology,
histopathology, transfusion medicine and RIA.
All medical investigations are conducted on the latest, technologically
advanced diagnostic equipment. Stringent quality assurance exercises
ensure reliable and high quality test results.
As Indian corporate hospitals are on par, if not better than the best
hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc there is scope for improvement, and
the country may become a preferred medical destination. In addition to
the increasingly top class medical care, a big draw for foreign patients is
also the very minimal or hardly any waitlist as is common in European or
American hospitals. In fact, priority treatment is provided today in Indian
hospitals.
The Apollo Group, Escorts Hospitals in New Delhi and Jaslok Hospitals
in Mumbai are to name a few which are established names even abroad.
A list of corporate hospitals such as Global Hospitals, CARE and Dr L.V.
Prasad Eye Hospitals in Hyderabad, The Hindujas and NM Excellence in
Mumbai, also have built capabilities and are handling a steadily increasing
flow of foreign patients. India has much more expertise than say Thailand
or Malaysia. The infrastructure in some of India's hospitals is also very
good. What is more significant is that the costs are much less, almost one-
third of those in other Asian countries
2012.

TREATMENT PROVIDED AT HOSPITALS ARE
HYGENIC
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY
SERVICES PROVIDED BY HOSPITALS ARE
SATISFACTORY
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY
HOSPITALS ARE SATISFIED WITH
GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY

SHOULD INDIA HAVE TO INCREASE THERE
SURGERIES
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY
ARE INDIA AWARE OF MEDICAL TOURISM
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY
TOTAL TOURIST VISITING AT INDIAN
HOSPITALS
10-40%
40-80%
80-90%
CAN'T SAY

INDIA POSITION AMONG DIFFERENT OTHER
COUNTRY IN MEDICAL TOURISM.
1ST
2ND
3 RD
ANY OTHER
GUEST IS SATISFIED WITH SERVICES IN
HOSPITALS OR NOT
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY
INDIAN HOSPITALS SERVICES ARE
AFFORDABLE BY ALL OR NOT
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY
PHYSICIAN IN HOSPITALS ARE WELL TRAINED
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY

ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES FOR PATIENTS
ARE ADEQUATE
YES
NO
CAN'T SAY

India is one of the cheapest healthcare tourism hubs in the world
especially for advanced life saving surgeries. The inflow of medical tourists
is on the rise in India, and private hospitals are ever ready to serve this
special segment. However, concerns are being raised about the far
reaching impact of medical tourism on the public healthcare system that
serves a larger section of the Indian society.
Although healthcare services provided by private hospitals in India to
foreign patients are cheap for them, these are still exorbitant for many
Indians. The private hospitals are registered under the Public Trust Act
which makes them liable to provide healthcare services free upto 20
percent of their resources in return for subsidies received from the
government. But, it is a question that remains unanswered as to whether
they are actually providing free healthcare services to the public.
Another concern is about increasing concentration of doctors in urban
hospitals.
Currently more than 50 percent of the doctors is concentrated in the
urban hospitals, especially in the metros. Private hospitals cater to nearly
65% of the healthcare services market. The number of medical tourists is
increasing, which means demand for private healthcare services will
increase. Private hospitals will need more medical professionals to meet
the increasing demand, and the lucrative offers and the work
environment they offer will attract many. The public healthcare sector
which is disadvantaged vis-à-vis the private hospitals on these counts will
be put under further strain. If more subsidies are given to private hospitals
and changes in regulation made to suit them, their concentration in the
sector will increase. The public healthcare system will remain neglected.
Thus, there is apprehension about the benefits of medical tourism to the
Indian public.

The medical tourism market in India is worth US$ 333 million,2 growing
at 30 percent per annum. Due to the emergence of this industry in India,
massive tasks lie ahead to synergise the resources of the two sectors.
However there are issues and challenges that need to be addressed to
overcome the roadblocks to facilitate the growth of this industry in India.
The issues that need attention are:
1. Upgradation of basic amenities and hospital infrastructure
2. Co-ordination between the healthcare and tourism sectors
3. Creating a resource pool of highly skilled and cordial manpower
4. Standardization of services and accreditation of hospitals
5. Increasing visibility of India on the world map
6. The impact on domestic healthcare services

Bibliography
• Internet web sites
www.google.com
www.indianhospitalassociation.com
www.yahoo.com
www.msn.com
• BOOKS
• NEWSPAPER
• PERIODICALS
• MAGAZINES

• NAME OF PERSON…………………………………….
• AGE………………………..
• OCCUPATION……………………………..
• DESIGNATION…………………………….
• Is services provided by hospitals are satisfactory?
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• . The treatment provided at hospitals is hygienic?
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• . Are hospitals are satisfied with government contribution?
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• Should India have to increase there surgeries?
o Yes
o No
o Can’t say
• Are Indians aware of medical tourism?
 Yes

 No
 Can’t say
• Total tourist visiting at Indian hospitals?
 10-40%
 40-80%
 80-90%
• India position among different other country in medical tourism?
o 1st
o 2nd
 Any other
• Guest is satisfied of services in hospitals?
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• Is Indian hospital services are affordable by all or not?
 Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• The physician in hospitals are well trained?
 Yes

 No
o Can’t say
• The accommodation facilities are adequate for patients?
o Yes
o No
o Can’t say
• The staff is well trained about hygiene or not?
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• There is increase or decrease in patients at Indian hospitals?
o Increase
o Decrease
o Can’t say
• Hospitals menus are acceptable by patients?
 Yes
 No
o Can’t say

• NAME OF PERSON…………………………………….
• AGE………………………..
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say

o Yes
o No
o Can’t say
 Yes
 No
 Can’t say
 10-40%
 40-80%
 80-90%
o 1st
o 2nd
 Any other
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• Is indian hospital services are affordable by all or not?

 Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• The physician in hospitals are well trained?
 Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
o No
o Can’t say
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Increase
o Decrease
o Can’t say
 Yes
 No
 Can’t say

• NAME OF PERSON…………………………………….
• AGE………………………..
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
o No
o Can’t say

 Yes
 No
 Can’t say
 10-40%
 40-80%
 80-90%
o 1st
o 2nd
 Any other
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
• Is Indian hospital services are affordable by all or not?
 Yes
 No
o Can’t say

• The physician in hospitals is well trained?
 Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Yes
o No
o Can’t say
o Yes
 No
o Can’t say
o Increase
o Decrease
o Can’t say
 Yes
 No

Research project on medical tourism

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