In recent years; there has been a remarkable surge in the growth of medical tourism in India. With its consistent development; India has secured the 10th position in the Global Medical Tourism Index for 2020-21. What’s even more impressive is the significant rise in the number of foreign tourists arriving for medical purposes, jumping from 1.83 lacks in 2020 to a staggering 3.04 lakh in 2022. These compelling statistics unveil a world of immense opportunities for doctors to leverage the potential of medical tourism and reap its numerous benefits.
How Medical Industry can improve Medical Tourism?
To unlock the full potential of medical tourism, healthcare providers need to embark on a transformative journey that requires strategic investments. Establishing and nurturing a captivating social media presence, crafting an engaging website, and maintaining an insightful blog are crucial steps toward attracting and engaging with a global audience. Collaborating with esteemed travel agencies, luxurious five-star hotels, and other esteemed hospitality service providers will further enhance the experience for international tourists, ensuring their comfort and satisfaction in every possible aspect.
Remember, it’s essential to take care of their end-to-end requirements, catering to their unique needs and providing a seamless journey from the moment they arrive until their departure. By investing in these key areas, healthcare providers can truly stand out and make a lasting impact in the dynamic realm of medical tourism.
Elevating Indian healthcare to global excellence requires investments in technology, security, and translators. Customized loans for doctors enable necessary investments; tapping into the thriving medical tourism market.
Present Scenario of Medical Tourism in India
The medical travel industry in India gained momentum in the past decade, with private hospitals reaching out to neighboring countries to cater to patients. Visionary leaders like Dr. Reddy of Apollo and Dr. Shetty of Narayana Healthcare set the example by serving patients from countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, followed by Fortis; Medanta, and Dr. Rela making significant progress in CIS, the Middle East, and Africa. To support these hospitals, Medical Travel Facilitators emerged, promoting Indian healthcare and establishing offices in these regions. Presently; India welcomes nearly 2 million patients annually from these areas; generating $4 billion in forex revenue. The future holds even greater promise.
What are the factors that attract tourists at the present time?
Each year; medical tourism in India is growing. Chennai is now renamed as ‘The Health City of India’ as more than 40% of tourists visit the place for the huge availability of multi-specialty hospitals. In a recent study, it is revealed that on average 150 international patients visit Chennai every day.
There are many factors behind the popularity of India in medical tourism:
Cost: High-quality healthcare is available in India at a low rate. In US or UK, the cost of the same treatment is 10 times higher than in India.
Quality: In India, there are 43 JCI-accredited hospitals that are popular among international tourists. Many hospitals have state-of-the-art infrastructure that offers superior treatment with the help of the latest technologies and techniques.
Less Waiting Time: In most of the advanced countries like the US and UK; patients have to wait for longer periods before any important surgery. On the other hand; in India, the waiting time is quite less.
Language: English is one of the official Indian languages though there is much linguistic diversity. English knowledge has made it a favorite destination of international tourists.
The Future of Medical Tourism in India:
To emerge as the premier medical travel destination, significant transformations are necessary. While substantial investments have been made to ensure Indian hospitals are on par with global standards in terms of equipment and talent, little attention has been given to creating an ecosystem that attracts international patients. Currently, patients spend the majority of their time in guesthouses near hospitals, which often results in subpar experiences and an increased risk of infection. Standardizing these guesthouses and encouraging hospitality players to develop patient-specific hotels in close proximity to hospitals is crucial. Moreover, 80-90% of international patients rely on Medical Travel Facilitators, who serve as travel agents and health advisors. It is vital to invest in these companies that actively market Indian healthcare across 70+ countries through their offices, digital platforms, and events. Urgent standardization efforts are needed within this segment of service providers.