The term 'Medical Tourism' may be defined as an organized travel



outside of someone's health care jurisdiction to enhance or restore health through medical interventions. In other words, we can say that medical tourism covers patients traveling across the globe for tourism purposes clubbing their requirements for treatment.

Medical tourism is a term coined which covers patients traveling across

the globe for tourism purposes clubbing their requirements for treatment of

acute illness, elective surgeries such as cardiology, hip replacement, knee

replacement,etc. The Government is taking serious initiatives in this

regards and plans to start overseas marketing of India as a medical tourism

destination. The government of India is of the opinion that by marketing

India as a global medical tourism destination, it could capitalize on the

low-cost, high-quality medical care available in the country.

India, touted as one of the favorite destinations for information

technology majors, is currently emerging as the chosen destination for

medical or health tourism. The Government of India, State tourism boards,

travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies and private sector hospitals

are exploring the medical tourism industry for tremendous opportunities.

They are seeking to capitalize on the opportunities by combining the

country's popular leisure tourism with medical tourism.

Industry projections? Statistics estimate that the medical tourism industry

in India is currently worth $333 million (Rs 1,500 crore) while a study by

CII-McKinsey estimates that the country could well earn Rs 5,000-10,000

crore by the year 2012. The Indian medical tourism industry, growing at an

annualized rate of 30 percent, caters to patients chiefly from the US,

Europe and Africa. Although in its nascent stage, the industry is outpacing

similar industries of other countries such as Greece, South Africa, Jordan,

Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. In the year 2004, Approx 1,50,000

medical tourists have visited India.

What makes it so attractive? Primary is the cost factor. The medical costs

in India are a fraction of the costs in the US/Europe. For instance, a

heart surgery costs $6,000 in India as against $30,000 in the US.

Similarly, a bone marrow transplant costs $26,000 in India as compared to

$2,50,000 in the US. Foreign patients throng Indian hospitals to pass up

the long waiting lists and queues in their native countries. The NHS

>patients in UK have to wait for months for Hip/Knee replacements surgery.

Indian hospitals provide immediate attention to patients rather than asking

them to wait for several months like in most western countries.

India's top-notch private hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Max HealthCare

have gained international recognition for their state-of-the-art facilities

and diagnostic centres besides unsurpassed technical skills. Their

technology and procedures are state of the art and on par with hospitals in

developed nations. Foreign patients can get attractive package deals

including flights, transfers, hotels, treatment and post-operative vacation

for their medical visits to India. India has some world class SPAs and

Ayurvedic facilities which help recuperation and healing.

Some Top India Hospitals Include Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Escorts,

AIIMs, Wockhardt, etc. A few good Medical tourism providers are MalaysiaMediTravel, India4health.com and Indiaheals.com.

With time more and more visitors will flock to this part of the globe for

their treatment and relaxtion needs.