India is a huge magnet for attracting foreign patients for medical treatments. With general tourism on the rise, it is estimated that the volume of medical tourists worldwide could reach up to 5 million by 2016, attracting additional visitors to the country.

Medical tourism, more broadly health and wellness tourism, refers to the industry in which people from across the globe travel to other countries to get medical, dental and surgical care, and at the same time, visit the local attractions of that country. I want to share some of the key highlights of medical tourism in India–the next crown jewel–that could shape the future of India’s economy and health care.

Healthcare in developed Nations is far expensive in case of patients who have chronic ailments and make multiple visits to hospitals.  Expensive and complex surgeries like heart or kidney transplant draw many medical tourists to Indian shores every year who return to their countries satisfied with their professionalism and friendly attitude of the care giving staff.

Indian medicine like Ayurveda, Naturopathy and traditional treatment with herbs constitute a substantial part of the patient inflow as these practices are not accessible in other countries.

U.S tops the list for annual patient visits for care like cardiac bypass surgery, knee replacement, cataract and cosmetic procedures like facelift.  India is fast becoming a hub for dental care as well.

India is the best choice for medical tourism

  • Some of the reasons commonly stated by tourists from other countries are
  • Reduced cost of treatment
  • International Quality standards
  • Better availability of specialist doctors for transplant surgeries
  • Modern Infrastructure
  • State-of-the-art treatment facilities and diagnostic instruments
  • Expertise of doctors in their super speciality fields
  • Trained and compatible staff for international patient care
  • Visa on arrival scheme for tourists from selected countries
  • Favourable Health covers for international patients
  • Remote patient follow up & assistance