India's Rise in Medical Tourism

Key Takeaways:

India attracts medical tourists due to affordable, high-quality care and advanced treatments with shorter waiting times.
Prominent medical tourists destinations in India include Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kerala, Rishikesh, and Mysuru.
Medical tourism is further supported by government initiatives, specialized doctors, and comprehensive healthcare infrastructure.

Why Is Medical Tourism in India Booming?

India is steadily climbing to the forefront as a prominent medical tourist destination. An estimated 7.3 million medical tourists are expected to visit the country by 2024. A significant driver behind this trend is India’s competitive medical care, which draws international patients in search of affordable and high-quality healthcare services.

India’s Rise in Medical Tourism — India's Rise in Medical Tourism

Why Do Patients Travel Within India for Medical Services?

Golam Rabbani, a businessman from Meghalaya, traveled over 1,987.7 kilometers to New Delhi. His previous surgery in Guwahati, Assam, was unsuccessful. Explaining his decision to travel to a metropolitan area, the 32-year-old said, “As Delhi is the capital, the medical services available are far better compared to the remote place I hail from. Getting a specialized doctor is a distant dream as we still don’t even have basic things like proper roads and electricity.”

What Are Some International Examples of Medical Tourism to India?

Patients from countries as far as Ghana also choose India for healthcare. A patient from Ghana, who cannot be named due to privacy reasons, traveled to Vadodara, Gujarat. He had a right femur fracture, which was not healing well and had a broken implant nail. Upon arriving at Bhailal Amin General Hospital in Vadodara, he underwent successful surgery and regained his ability to walk.

How Does India Rank on the Medical Tourism Index?

From 2020 to 2021, India ranked 10th on the Medical Tourism Index (MTI). Medical tourism involves traveling to another state or country to receive quality medical care at an affordable cost. According to Crisil, a credit rating agency, the number of medical tourists in India will reach 7.3 million in 2024.

What Initiatives Are Indian States Taking to Encourage Medical Tourism?

Indian states actively develop their infrastructure and regulations to become medical tourism hubs. For instance, Hyderabad’s Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced plans on June 22 to establish a medical and health tourism hub spread over 1,000 acres in Telangana.

Pune is another city emerging as a medical tourism center. Former Union Minister Shripad Naik stated that Pune has adequate facilities to be developed into a medical tourism hub. “People from different countries come to Pune for tourism and medical tourism. With state-of-the-art facilities, Pune is growing and has come a way ahead in terms of medical tourism,” Naik pointed out.

Dr. Manisha Karmarkar, CEO of DPU Super Specialty Hospital in Pimpri, Pune, adds, “Pune’s medical landscape has witnessed a tremendous evolution in the last decade, with a strong emphasis on building world-class healthcare infrastructure led by advanced technology. The city has emerged as one of the leading cities for organ donation in the state and country at large, with a total count of 58 cadaver donations during 2023.” Pune’s connectivity to Mumbai, the financial capital, enhances its attractiveness as a medical tourism destination.

What Makes India a Preferred Destination for Medical Tourism?

“India combines high-quality and affordable care,” says Dr. Sanjay Agarwala, Director of Professional Services and Section Head of Orthopaedics & Traumatology at P. D. Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. According to the Indian Medical Association, most medical tourists in India seek treatments for cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology, including knee and liver transplants.

India also appeals to those seeking alternative therapies such as Ayurveda in Kerala and yoga in Rishikesh and Mysuru.

What Are the Key Reasons Driving the Growth of Medical Tourism in India?

According to Dr. Piyush Ranjan, DM Gastroenterology, Senior Consultant, and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, the growth of medical tourism in India is due to a lack of expertise in lesser advanced economies. Other reasons include access to advanced treatments with shorter waiting times, privacy, comprehensive care options, supportive government policies, and cultural considerations.

Why Is India Popular for Beauty and Wellness Services?

India’s healthcare sector extends beyond traditional medical care. It also offers beauty and wellness services. Dr. Meghna Mour, Founder and Aesthetic Dermatologist at Skuccii Supercliniq in Mumbai, highlights, “The quality of medical treatments in our country has advanced to the point where it is on par with, and at times exceeds, that of many other countries. India provides affordable medical facilities at a much lesser cost compared to its counterparts.”

Dr. Mour mentions that patients frequently visit her clinic for non-invasive treatments addressing aging, hair transplantation, Botox, fillers, and weight loss.

How Can I Learn More About Medical Visas for India?

For those considering traveling to India for medical treatment, acquiring the appropriate medical visa is essential. For accurate and detailed information, visit the official Indian Visa Online website.

Conclusion

India is not just a land of diverse cultures and traditions; it’s becoming a global hub for medical tourism. Factors driving this trend include high-quality affordable care, advanced treatments, renowned specialists, and a growing infrastructure dedicated to medical and health tourism. Whether you seek specialized surgeries, alternative therapies, or beauty and wellness services, India offers a compelling combination of quality and affordability.

As per VisaVerge.com, the future of India as a prominent destination for medical tourism looks promising, with the number of incoming medical tourists set to rise substantially by 2024.

If you require more detailed information about medical visas or the numerous healthcare options available, reputable sources such as government immigration websites and reliable healthcare platforms can be of invaluable assistance in planning your journey.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Specialized Immigration Terms Related to Medical Tourism

Medical Tourism:
The practice of traveling to another country to receive medical treatment, often due to lower costs, higher quality care, or faster access to specific medical procedures.
Medical Tourism Index (MTI):
A ranking system that evaluates and compares the attractiveness of different countries as medical tourism destinations based on various factors, including quality of care, affordability, and overall destination appeal.
Medical Visa:
A type of visa specifically for individuals seeking medical treatment in a foreign country. In India, medical visas are required for international patients traveling to the country for healthcare services.
Specialized Doctor:
A medical professional with advanced training and expertise in a particular area of medicine, such as cardiology, orthopedics, or oncology, often sought after by medical tourists seeking specific treatments.
Comprehensive Care:
An approach to healthcare that involves a wide range of services and treatments provided within one system to address various health needs of the patient, often making a destination more appealing for medical tourism.

This Article In A Nutshell:

India’s medical tourism is booming due to affordable, high-quality healthcare. With estimated 7.3 million medical tourists by 2024, India attracts international patients seeking treatments in cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology. Advanced technology, expert doctors, and alternative therapies like Ayurveda make India a preferred destination for comprehensive medical and wellness services.
— By VisaVerge.com

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