Monday, October 02, 2006

India: a global destination for medical tourism

India is the top global destination for medical tourism, according to a new market research report. A study on the Indian Healthcare sector, conducted by RNCOS, has revealed the country's medical tourism market to be worth over $310 million, expected to rise to $2 billion by 2012. Medical infrastructure and technology in India are accepted to be on a par with the UK and the US and the efficient services and affordable hospital expenses make it an attractive choice for patients seeking treatment abroad. Figures show that 120,000 overseas patients travelled to India in 2005 to receive private medical treatment and this is expected to rise by 30 per cent. The most common treatments that visitors seek are heart surgery, knee surgery, cosmetic surgery and dental care, procedures which patients may not be eligible for under the NHS system and which generally have long waiting lists in the UK.

RNCOS concluded: "The healthcare industry overview shows that the medical infrastructure and technology in [India] is in par with those in USA, UK and Europe. "India can vie with some of its best hospitals and treatment centres in the world and therefore make it a favourable destination."

© Adfero Ltd

6 comments:

Professor Steve Green of Trent said...

There is no doubt that Indian hospitals are getting better all the time.

However, so as to be able to ensure that there is a valid and visible evidence-basis to this, it would be advisable for those Indian Hospitals interested in developing their international market to look energetically towards international healthcare accreditation, in the way that Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and one or two in Thailand have already done. For a British/European dimension to international healthcare accreditation, Trent (www.trentaccreditationscheme.org) is an option, while for the USA JCI, and for Australia ACHSI.

Without being willing to measure themselves against international standards and undergo peer-review, it will be difficult for hospitals in any part of the world (whether in India or anywhere else) seeking to present themselves as being of high quality.

Unknown said...

Nechupadam dental Clinic Cochin Kerala has been promoting dental tourism in kerala and is getting numerous clients from Europe on tour to India. Comparing the Charges in europe we are priced just 20% of the treatment cost For example a root canal treatment in Bedford U K Costs 700 to 1000 pounds Where as here it costs just 70 to 100 pounds only so to travel down to India for a couple of treatments together is agood proposition as a vacation ( travel and stay inclusive)+ treatment for the same price or lower as in Europe. Our standards are par with the European standards as we purchase the materials from companies like Dentsply & Vivadent Dr Thomas
Director administrations
Nechupadam Dental clinic
For more Visit www.nechupadam.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the wonderful input Keith Pollard. Your comparison pricing of medical tourism provider was extremely good. But I feel there is no country, which can provide cheaper treatment than India. . For example 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. Dental, eye and cosmetic surgeries in Western countries cost three to four times as much as in India.
As per the information from one of the local medical tourism provider Global Health Networks, www.globalhealthnetworks.com, the post treatment care in India is atleast 2 weeks compared to a few days in the United States. In addition, they even have optional alternative packages like Ayurvedic Treatments, Breathing Workshop and Yoga conducted by The Art of Living Foundation, www.artofliving.org. GHN even offers micro loans and micro financials, which will really help the uninsured and underinsured community. GHN not only provides high end services they also guarantee safety, quality, timely service and wonderful experience.
Let me share an experience of my friend’s father who had been to India for knee replacement surgery through Global Health Networks. They had some insurance problems so the knee replacement was going to be very expensive in the United States. But through Global Health Networks, his father underwent knee replacement in India, for one third of the cost with the same infrastructure and quality of treatment.

Do share any information of treatment packages cheaper than the above mention case?

saurabh bhandari said...

wonderfull analysis keith!
do you have any ideas as to who the major players in india are. Also which european players are already in or going in that market.

Anonymous said...

India is the listed country where latest and advanced medical treatments are available at quite affordable cost.

Elizabeth said...

Not sure about India but
I had a good experience getting a Lap band procedure done in thailand. Initially I was a little apprehensive but once I landed at the hospital, the experience turned out really well. The doctors were very professional and the infrastructure was impressive. I took help from folks at http://www.thaimedihealth.com and they helped me arrange the treatment and stay in Bangkok. Its been 7 months now and I look great. I wish the doctors and the staff success. Definitely visit Pattaya and Phuket if you get a chance.