Study:Medical Tourism a flourishing industry in India

India will earn over Rs 8,000 crore, in foreign exchange through medical tourism by 2012 according to a study.It has been promoted by way of easy visa to patients and the best emerging medical infrastructure in large and tertiary towns.

At present the annual earnings are estimated at Rs 3,500 crore said the study conducted by the associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

A comparison of treatment cost shows:

a) that a bone marrow transplant entails $ 2,00,000 in the United States, up to $ 2,00,000 in the United Kingdom, $ 62,500 in Thailand, and just around $ 20,000 in India;

b) Bypass surgery will cost $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 in the US, around $ 20,000 in the UK, $ 14,250 in Thailand, $ 4,000 to $ 6,000 in India;

c)The cost of knee surgery is $ 16,000 to $ 17,000 in the US, $15,000 in the UK, $ 7,000 in Thailand, and just $ 1,000 in India.

Since the medical expenses are higher in the West, Patients from Africa, Gulf and Asian countries have started exploring treatment options in hospitals in various places in India, says the study.

Indian medical infrastructure is geared to provide non-subsidised medical treatment at a much lower cost, considered reasonable.

India will emerge as a lead hub for excellent treatment also because of its strength of highly qualified medical professional and nurses.

India has about 7 lakh qualified doctors, the study points out.

The traditional homoeopathy, naturopathy,Ayurvedic and Unani systems are also attracting patients because of their nil side effect, says the study.

Therefore, India is a poor man’s paradise as far as medical tourism is concerned not only in the Afro-Asian countries but also in the Western countries as well. No doubt, the medical tourism will flourish like anything in India by 2012.