India’s great strides in cutting-edge medical treatments and facilities have helped in gaining a strong foothold in global medical tourism. Medical tourism in India is growing at such a rapid pace that it is projected to hit $9 billion as per the figures quoted by the Tourism Ministry of India. Today, it stands among the top five global medical tourism destinations in terms of quality healthcare and cost.
DrPrem, a top medical tourism company in India has been leading from the front in marketing the country’s outstanding medical capabilities and advancements to the global clients willing to opt for medical tourism for their special healthcare and wellness needs.
India always has been in the wish list of international travellers for reasons good enough. Today, its healthcare facilities are offering an additional attraction. The country received nearly 500,000 foreign patients in 2018 and experts are optimistic in doubling the figure by 2024. The government is also touting skilled specialists, affordability and state-of-the-art facilities available for treating any kind of ailment. Let us have a deep analysis of the factors favouring this appreciable growth of medical tourism.
Affordability
Amid the shifting preferences of medical travellers, the cost factor is the concern for many. By undergoing treatments in India, medical travellers are likely to make 50% of the savings compared to that of the US and UK. This is inclusive of the travel, food and accommodation cost. Some treatments cost about 1/10th of the price in developed nations.
Low cost does not mean low quality in care and service. If you consider the cost of living standards in India, it is almost 66.54% lower than the US taking the aggregate of cities excluding the rent. You will get world class care in all the facilities recommended by us which are at par with what you would have received in the developed western nations. This huge saving matters a lot for patients looking for life-saving treatments that might not be affordable in their home countries.
Best of the class treatment facilities and care
Analysing several factors driving medical tourism in India, the availability of quality treatment and care is the most critical one. This is primarily because of the growing number of JCI and NABH accredited super specialty hospitals and clinics in top metro cities. Super class medical facilities are also growing in tier 2 cities catering to a different segment of foreign patients.
India has more than 500 JCI or NABH accredited facilities providing outstanding treatment in all specialties at par with that available in developed nations like the US and UK. These multi-specialty hospitals and clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment’s essential in treating critical treatments. Patients looking for advanced tech-driven minimally invasive surgeries can get it easily in India. They get cured fast and get back into the normal activities soon. Very few countries popular in medical tourism can build this excellent capacity.
Advanced accommodation and dining facilities in hospitals are successfully catering to the needs of international patents.
Hospitals have a dedicated international patient department to take care of personalized services like concierge services, language translators and whole time personal assistance. Foreign patients are allowed 24X 7access to various hospital facilities. Besides, many large Indian hospital groups have emerged as international brands and have formed strategic partnerships with other leading brands in developed countries.
Indian physicians and specialists are well recognized across the world. Indian medical education is one of the highest standards in the world. Doctors working in these facilities come from the best medical universities. Many of them hold prestigious qualifications from the US and UK and are members of globally recognized medical authorities and institutions. Nearly all specialist doctors are fluent in English, which is a great advantage for foreign patients.
Getting immediate attention and treatment
Waiting time is practically non-existent in India. If you compare this with other well developed healthcare systems in the world where waiting times range from months to years, India has a better edge. Waiting indefinitely for critical life-saving treatments can cost one’s life. Getting timely attention prevents further complications and also saves your expenses! This is another big reason that international patients visit India being fed up of long queues in their home countries.
Easy access to visa
The good thing is along with market expansion, the country is also trying to facilitate easy travel for patients from anywhere in the world. The introduction of medical visa by the government of India has leapfrogged the medical tourism growth by several times. Getting it has become easier than ever. The e-tourist visa provision also includes medical travel where the duration of stay is 6 months, longer than the medical visa.
DrPrem provides detailed guidance of availing this visa. Patients and their attendants can get these visas in a relatively short period of time. If the visa is required for any life-saving treatment, the waiting time is almost non-existent.
Medical travelers from underdeveloped countries like Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan etc. needing urgent medical visas are also given the required priority based on the clinical needs. One of the prime objectives of medical visa program is to ensure quick and safe medical arrangements of critically ill patients. This is a big reason that patients seeking overseas medical treatment prefer India to get it done at a reasonable cost. Such a quick and smooth medical visa approval program has saved many lives and will save more in future.
Ayurveda and wellness treatments
India’s 5000-year-old Ayurvedic treatment, a traditional healing system, is world famous. Fortunately, this traditional medicine is witnessing resurgence as people are taking interest in holistic healing. India’s AYUSH market covering all traditional treatments ayurveda, yoga, Unani, siddha and Homeopathy is witnessing a sustainable growth.
Apart from Ayurveda, foreign patients are opting for various wellness therapies in recognized wellness centers as a post treatment rejuvenation break. These wellness centers have come up in beautiful tranquil locations enabling patients make the best of wellness treatments. Many patients are opting for these treatments to facilitate post operative recovery that serve their tourism purpose as well. Wellness specialists work with physicians to create wellness plans taking care of the patient’s health condition.
India is shining in medical tourism. Where patients look for affordability and quality, India strikes the perfect balance not to mention of its tourist attractions.