India has always been an exotic destination for tourism be it for culture, traditions, and monuments. And now, India is getting more tourists who come as medical tourist for healing.
Five years ago, there were 1.5 Lakh medical tourist visited India bringing in earnings of $300 million. Since then the travelers have been increasing each year by 25%. According to a report prepared by CII-McKinsey projects medical tourism is set to earn India $2 billion revenue by 2012.
It is because of the low cost of better quality of medical services available almost on demand that India is attracting a large number of tourists not only from USA and UK and other countries.
For example a heart bypass surgery would cost a patient $6,000 in India, the same surgery would cost the person $7,894 in Thailand, $10,417 in Singapore, $23,938 in the US and $19,700 in Britain.
Similarly, a heart valve replacement surgery would cost patients $10,000 in Thailand, $12,500 in Singapore, $200,000 in the US and $90,000 in Britain but in India, it would cost just $8,000.
While a bone marrow transplant would cost $30,000 in India, doctors in US would charge anywhere between $250,000-400,000 while those in UK would charge $150,000.
A cosmetic surgery would cost $3,500 in Thailand, $20,000 in the US and $10,000 in Britain. But in India, it costs only $2, 000.
The report goes on to say that hospitals established by private corporate players are world class. They not only have the latest medical technologies, but also the services of Indian doctors and nurses with high degree of proficiency.
The hospitals are well equipped and proficient and comparable to any top hospital in the West. The government is planning to provide visa facilities on priority basis to medical tourist but unwillingness of insurance companies to cover treatment of those coming from UK and US for major surgeries in India is creating foremost hurdles.
A large number of tourists, both domestic and foreign, undergo treatment under Ayurveda not only for improving their fitness and well being but also for curing many types of chronic diseases.
India though in many ways has captured world attention as a medical tourism paradise, it has begun to provide adequate attention and personal care to those who accompany the patient.
No wonder, "Western" patients are recommending their friends to travel to India for an efficient and personal medical treatment.
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