Health

7 Facts About Medical Tourism In India

Medical tourism refers to the tourism that is generated when people from one country travel to another country to prevail medical treatments. People from all over the world fly down to India to their treatments done mainly because of the high quality treatment they can avail at a fraction of the price. The reduced price, however, does not mean an inferior treatment. The hospitals within the country are equipped with the most modern medical technology and equally great doctors. Here are a few facts about medical tourism in India that will blow your mind.

  • The medical tourism industry is going through a booming phase in India which is estimated to value at a whooping USD 4 billion. It is further expected to grow at an astonishing pace which can fetch the country as much as USD 7 to 8 billion every year.
  • India plays host to about 1.7 million tourists every year from various countries. Afghanistan and Bangladesh account for 34% of foreign patients in India taking the top spot. Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent states contribute 30% to international medical tourism and takes the second spot.
  • Treatment costs in India are as low as 1/10th of what they are in the United States and the United Kingdom. This competitive pricing is a major reason that attracts patients from all over the world. The most sought after treatments include bone marrow transplantation which can cost about USD 800,000 in USA but costs only about USD 22,000 in India. Cardiac bypass surgery can cost about USD 750,000 in an average in the States but in India it starts from USD 4,900. The scenario is pretty much the same with bariatric surgery, eye surgery, hip resurfacing and many more.

  • India is home to alternative medical treatments like ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy and like. These treatment are famous because of their simplicity and their use of natural ingredients which work to cure diseases. However, these cures and treatments have very little scientific evidence. But that does not stop it from drawing thousands of people from all over the globe to try these treatments seeking the benefits of alternative medicine.
  • India and grown and developed its medical infrastructure in such an incredible way that it is home to 28 Joint Commission (JCI) accredited hospitals. Apart from these hospitals there are about 4,419 hospitals in total in the country and the number is constantly rising. Most of these hospitals provide excellent quality treatment at a very cheap cost which is another reason for the influx of international patients.
  • Chennai is often touted as “India’s health capital” due to the plethora of multi-speciality and super-speciality hospitals available in the city. These hospitals bring an average of 150 foreign patients every single day. This flow of tourists in the city is mainly because of the fast availability of hospital beds which cuts down on the waiting period of the patients.
  • India medical tourism has also been boosted by the government’s efficient step to ease the visa restrictions. On arrival visas have also contributed in a huge way to bring patients from countries like Australia, New Zealand, Oman, Germany, etc.