Medicine is something that combines science or research with art or creativity. Choosing the right medical treatment can save a lot of lives and make this world healthier. But, not everywhere in this world will you find equal medical facilities. However, the good news is that India has become one of the most sought-after destinations to avail of healthcare solutions. Even patients from other countries fly to India to get the desired treatment. In other words, medical tourism in India is growing rapidly. The Indian Government took some initiatives to make India the first choice for medical tourists. Some significant approaches of the Government are
The Indian Government has declared loans of more than $14 billion to improve the infrastructure. Moreover, working capital loans are available to companies associated with health tourism in India. These companies can restart their businesses as the pandemic has caused a negative impact. Furthermore, big hospitals and reputed companies have planned to develop a state-of-the-art infrastructure. They have partnered with qualified doctors to provide better services to patients. Some healthcare centres have started providing alternative treatment as a holistic solution.
The Government of India has launched this initiative to develop a seamless digital infrastructure that ensures an easy transfer of medical and health data. The primary purpose is to make the healthcare infrastructure stronger and ensure a better future for medical tourism in India. The primary building blocks of the scheme are
So, it is the primary framework to facilitate data flow to healthcare providers and patients. There are different benefits of the scheme-
Electronic visas are available to medical tourists and are valid for a month. However, those who have a medical visa can reapply for a new one. There is also an Ayush visa for international patients who have visited India. The availability of this visa category will also simplify the visa process for travellers looking for medical treatment in India.
Low-cost treatment is the biggest reason for medical tourism in India. Patients from different Western countries have claimed that they save a significant amount by availing of the treatment in India. The physician’s charges, surgery costs, and hospital stays are affordable. But how does India provide low-cost treatment? There are some secrets behind it.
Many hospitals in India transferred regular healthcare activities to low-skilled staff. On the other hand, highly skilled doctors manage complicated treatments and critical cases.
It is to be noted that India had a shortage of qualified and talented doctors. So, Indian hospitals had thought of optimising duties performed by physicians. Certified and trained doctors had started paying attention to the technical aspects of an operation. As a result, it made the overall workforce more productive. For instance, it led to an increased number of surgeries performed in an hour.
Moreover, nurses and paramedic workers in hospitals also handle many routine medical jobs. You can find that almost 50% of the workforce in a hospital comprises this staff. However, you will not notice the task-shifting trend in the US and other countries. That is why India can provide more affordable medical treatment to national and international medical travellers.
Another important fact is that waste resource is a big issue for hospitals in other countries. However, the Indian Government can make use of resources. For instance, many surgical products are reused safely after sterilising them. Besides, locally manufactured devices (like intraocular lenses) are used for treating patients.
The USA and developed countries often innovate new devices, clinical processes, pills, and medical kits. However, by applying the mass production principles, Indian hospitals have cut the cost of delivering healthcare.
Most medical travellers visit India with their partners, friends, or relatives. Those who need surgical treatment may need to take rest for a number of days during the post-surgery period. So, they look for hotels to make their stay safe and comfortable.
As many hotels are close to Indian hospitals, it is advantageous for medical tourists. These travellers often move to Delhi, Mumbai, and other metropolitan cities for complicated surgeries. The hourly booking charges of the hotels have removed the accommodation concerns of these tourists. For example, there are many budget-friendly accommodations near AIIMS in Delhi. Thus, before deciding to move to India for medical treatment, you can book your room in a hotel. The best hotels maintain sanitation and hygiene to retain the guests.
Service quality is the main factor causing the growth of medical tourism in India. It attracts several medical tourists from the UK, the USA, and other Western countries. Medical tourists have found that Indian hospitals do not compromise quality in spite of providing cost-effective services.
Most reputed hospitals have highly skilled and talented paramedical staff, nurses, and doctors. There are also efficient surgeons to do life-saving treatments and conduct life-saving surgeries. So, the expertise and specialisation of healthcare service providers have drawn the attention of several international patients.
The Indian healthcare sector has facilities for major surgical treatments like knee transplants and heart surgery. You will also receive post-operative treatment from nurses and paramedical specialists.
India has started reimagining the healthcare infrastructure by integrating modern technologies. The tech-driven healthcare will meet the expectations of international and national patients. These technologies will solve the budget issues and the rising healthcare costs.
In a survey, it has been observed that tech implementation is higher in private hospitals when compared to public ones. Moreover, many private healthcare service providers have embraced basic technologies like appointment booking, ERP, and RFID tracking. However, more hospitals should adopt technologies to serve patients better. The most common innovative technologies are-
Telehealth consultations have transformed the way how patients interact with doctors. A significant shift in the healthcare sector in India is because of the acceptance of this trend. It has removed the geographic boundaries, and patients from different countries can contact healthcare professionals in India.
According to a survey, the pandemic has increased the rate of telehealth consultation from 1% to 4.3%. So, virtual care has become a new medical care model. The best fact is that this trend has reduced the risks of hospital-acquired infections during the pandemic.
For instance, Apollo, one of the leading telemedicine providers, serves both international and national patients. Apollo TeleHealth is currently available for services like Tele Cardiology, Tele Radiology, Tele Consultations, and Tele Condition Management.
Doctors and patients have real-time conversations during video-calling sessions. Telemonitoring services are also available to check the patient’s health. It enables doctors to identify the symptoms and make treatment decisions. Telemonitoring is also helpful for patients who need follow-ups after getting discharged from a hospital.
Modern medical treatment is not the only cause of attraction for medical tourists in India. Traditional and alternative healthcare solutions are responsible for the growing medical tourism sector. The most common alternative therapies are-
English is the most commonly chosen language for verbal communication with international medical tourists. So, India has become one of the English-speaking nations, and many hospitals have employed multi-language interpreters. Thus, patients from native English countries and other nations will find no inconvenience in India.
You can notice an influx of international tourists in different Indian cities.
There are many private and government-run healthcare institutions in Chennai. While 30% of patients are from other Indian states, 45% cover international patients. More than 150 medical tourists admit to multi-speciality hospitals daily. Minimal waiting time, low costs, and modern facilities are some reasons behind choosing healthcare services in Chennai. Apollo, Fortis, and several other hospitals in Chennai have drawn the attention of tourists.
AIIMS and other medical institutes in Delhi have surpassed the standards of many foreign healthcare centres. The capital of India is known for providing treatment for various health issues. This city receives international patients mainly for eye surgeries, heart treatments, and neuro surgeries.
Vellore attracts several medical tourists from different Indian states and foreign nations. Allopathy, acupuncture, homoeopathy, and many other treatment options are available in this city. The Tamil Nadu Government also has taken various steps to promote medical tourism in this city.
The medical tourism sector in Mumbai is growing very fast. With the availability of different research institutes, diagnostic centres, and super-speciality hospitals, Mumbai is a popular city for medical travellers. Nanavati, Fortis, Breach Candy, and Lilavati are some well-known hospitals with world-class treatment facilities. Ayurveda and cosmetic surgery options are also available in Mumbai.
It is a large Indian city with several qualified doctors. If you are looking for cheaper healthcare solutions from private hospitals, Hyderabad is the right choice. Even reconstructive and plastic surgeries can be done at a reasonable rate. That is why many people from Western countries visit Hyderabad for these surgical treatments. Heritage and Aditya hospitals have top-rated facilities to provide diverse treatments.
Bangalore is another city that attracts patients from different parts of the world. You can also find many medical institutes to train students in the clinical field. Internationally accredited hospitals in Bangalore have collaborated with prestigious doctors. Aster CMI, Manipal Hospital, Apollo, and several other prominent names are found in this South Indian city.
Goa was simply a travel destination for foreign tourists who desire leisure and recreation. However, now it has become a hub for medical tourism. The natural environment of Goa is, of course, the major reason behind it. Besides, the Government has promoted wellness and health to create a medical hub. Many tourists love Goa to refresh their minds.
Vibrant Gujarat is a project that has given high importance to medical tourism in the state. Besides, Ahmedabad has different hospitals with high-end amenities. Moreover, you will find the largest Civil Hospital in this city. Especially dental tourism has gained popularity in this Indian city.
India has now emerged as one of the best countries to have advanced medical treatments. The number of medical tourists in India is on the rise. Easy communication, world-class treatment, and the absence of any language issues have made the medical tourism sector more profitable. If you want to have medical services in India, you can contact Dania Medicare Solutions. The medical tourism company will make every arrangement to make your trip successful and hassle-free.
As one of the medical tourism companies in India, Dania Medicare has the best consultants to help you find reputable hospitals. It has a database of different accredited hospitals in India. As a medical tourist, you will be able to find the best doctor in India. Dania’s team will also cooperate with you to plan your medical trip. Besides, the professionals will communicate efficiently to understand your issues and address them properly. They will also provide some guidelines to make your journey smooth.
https://hbr.org/2013/10/indias-secret-to-low-cost-health-care https://www.pwc.in/industries/healthcare/reimagining-the-possible-in-the-indian-healthcare-ecosystem-with-emerging-technologies.html
Written by
Shafiq Ahmad Khan
Founder & CEO
Dania Medicare Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
