Health tourism checks in

Health tourism checks in

May 2016

That the West is flocking to India for medical treatment has been a rising trend. According to the 2012-2013 Annual report of the Ministry of Tourism, rising medical privileges, skilled health caregivers, best nursing services, relatively lower waiting period and traditional modalities like ayurveda and yoga, along with allopathy, make for an optimal integrative healthcare system, and has escalated India into the top health tourism destination in the world.

Now, in order to capitalise on this possibility, the second edition  of ‘Advantage Healthcare – India 2016’ was held a few months back in the India Expo Centre and Mart, in Greater Noida.

Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare, put forth detailed suggestions to implement strategies of exporting health services and solving any problems in the process. “India can become the biggest exporter of health services in the world. India has developed briskly in this field since the last 20-30 years for it is able to provide quality at low rates. Also, our country is a hub of skilled doctors who are the best in the field, hence a proper emphasis on the  four Cs – cost, culture, care and class – can help establish India as a giant in this field,” he said.

Singh also suggested the five Ts to boost health tourism in the country – talent, tradition, technology, tourism and trade. He particularly  lauded the role of the Ministry of AYUSH in promoting ayurveda, yoga, siddha, unani, naturopathy and homeopathy – in boosting India’s healthcare system. Said Dr Manoj Nesari, Joint Advisor, AYUSH Department, “India’s biggest specialty in the field of medicine is its traditional healing modalities. Alternative healing services are an integral part of Indian healthcare system.”

The event was held under the aegis of the  Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and FICCI along with Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)

Let us hope that India’s glorious tradition would add to its glory in the present too.