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Free Medical Tourism In India

Free Medical Tourism In India

What is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism is the practice of visiting another nation to acquire treatment or other healthcare services. It involves individuals seeking medical care outside their home country, often due to factors such as lower costs, quicker access to treatment, availability of specialized procedures, or higher quality care.

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The idea of medical tourism has been more well-known in recent years as travel has gotten easier to acquire and healthcare prices have increased in some nations. For a variety of medical procedures, from routine check-ups and elective operations to more involved treatments like organ transplants or cancer therapy, people may opt to travel abroad.

The main reasons individuals engage in medical tourism include:

Cost savings: Medical treatments in some countries can be significantly less expensive compared to one’s home country, even when factoring in the travel costs. This is especially true for people without full health coverage or for those looking to get non-covered elective operations.

Access to specialized procedures: Certain countries may have advanced medical technologies or specialized procedures that are not available or accessible in the individual’s home country. Traveling to these destinations allows patients to access cutting-edge treatments and expertise.

Reduced waiting times: In countries with public healthcare systems, there can be long waiting lists for certain treatments or surgeries. Medical tourism provides an opportunity for patients to receive prompt care by traveling to countries with shorter waiting times.

Quality of care: Some people might believe that certain countries’ healthcare systems are of a higher caliber than those in their own. This may be due to factors such as renowned medical facilities, highly trained doctors, or favorable healthcare outcomes.

How Medical Tourism is different from Medical Wellness?

Medical tourism and wellness tourism are two distinct concepts, although they both involve traveling for health-related purposes. The key difference lies in the primary focus and intention behind each type of tourism.

Medical tourism primarily revolves around seeking medical treatment or healthcare services in another country. Individuals travel abroad specifically to receive medical procedures, surgeries, or treatments that may not be readily available, affordable, or timely in their home country. The main motivation for medical tourism is to address a specific medical condition or undergo a necessary procedure under the care of qualified healthcare professionals.

On the other hand, wellness tourism is more centered around promoting and enhancing overall well-being, relaxation, and personal growth. Wellness tourists may participate in activities such as spa treatments, yoga retreats, meditation programs, fitness classes, nutritional counseling, stress management workshops, and other wellness-oriented experiences.

While preventive care, self-care, and general well-being are prioritized in wellness tourism, medical tourism typically concentrates on identifying, controlling, or treating medical conditions. Wellness tourists typically seek to rejuvenate, de-stress, and improve their overall quality of life, rather than addressing specific medical issues.

It’s crucial to remember that wellness tourism and medical tourism might occasionally overlap. For instance, individuals traveling for medical procedures may also incorporate wellness activities as part of their recovery or as a means of holistic care. Similarly, wellness tourists may choose destinations that offer both wellness services and access to high-quality medical facilities in case of any unexpected health concerns.

Overall, medical tourism is primarily driven by the need for medical treatment, while wellness tourism focuses on promoting overall well-being and personal growth through various wellness-oriented experiences.

What happens in Medical Tourism?

When people travel abroad for medical treatment or healthcare services, this practice is known as medical tourism. The specific events and processes involved in medical tourism can vary depending on the individual’s medical needs, chosen destination, and healthcare provider. However, here are some general steps that typically occur:

Research and Planning: The individual begins by researching potential destinations and healthcare providers that offer the desired medical treatment or procedure. Factors such as reputation, expertise, cost, quality of care, and travel logistics are considered during the selection process. The individual may also consult with their primary healthcare provider for advice or recommendations.

Initial Consultation: Once a healthcare provider and destination are chosen, the individual may engage in an initial consultation with the medical team. This can take place remotely through phone or video calls, or in person if feasible. The consultation includes a discussion of the patient’s medical background, present state, and available treatments. To help with planning, diagnostic tests, medical records, and other pertinent data may be exchanged.

Travel Arrangements: The individual or a medical tourism facilitator assists in making travel arrangements, including flights, accommodations, and transportation. It is essential to make sure that the arrangements of the trip are well-coordinated, taking into account things like the necessity for a visa, accessibility, and any special medical requirements for the voyage.

Pre-Treatment Preparation: The person could be needed to have additional medical examinations or tests before the planned treatment, both in their home country and the destination. These evaluations aid in ensuring that the treatment strategy is customized to the patient’s unique requirements and health situation.

Treatment or Procedure: The individual undergoes the scheduled medical treatment or procedure as planned. This can include surgeries, specialized medical interventions, dental procedures, cosmetic treatments, or other healthcare services. The medical staff at the selected facility administers the treatment while following accepted medical practices and care standards.

Post-Treatment Care: Depending on the nature of the procedure, the person may need a healing period after the therapy.

Medical professionals provide post-treatment care and guidance, including medication instructions, follow-up appointments, rehabilitation or physiotherapy plans, and any necessary lifestyle modifications.

Return to Home Country: Once the individual’s medical condition permits, they return to their home country. It is essential to follow any prescribed post-treatment care and attend recommended follow-up appointments with local healthcare providers.

Throughout the medical tourism process, effective communication between the individual, the healthcare providers in both the home and destination countries, and the travel facilitators (if involved) is crucial to ensure a smooth and successful experience.

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What makes India a hub for Medical Tourism?

India has developed into a well-liked location and a center for medical tourism as a result of several important characteristics, such as:

Cost-effectiveness: India is a popular location for medical tourists because of a number of factors, including price. Medical treatments and procedures in India are significantly more affordable compared to many developed countries. A vast range of medical services, including operations, specialist therapies, organ transplants, cardiac procedures, reproductive treatments, cosmetic surgery, and more, fall under this economic advantage. The lower cost does not compromise the quality of care, making it an attractive option for patients seeking affordable medical solutions.

Healthcare professionals: With high levels of expertise and experience are in abundance in India, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, and support staff. Many Indian doctors have received training and gained experience in reputable medical institutions worldwide. They are famous for their expertise, talent, and commitment to delivering top-notch care. The presence of English-speaking medical professionals also facilitates communication with international patients.

Advanced medical facilities and technology: The United States has made large expenditures in its healthcare infrastructure, making cutting-edge hospitals and cutting-edge technology accessible throughout the nation. Many hospitals and clinics in India are equipped with modern diagnostic equipment, robotic surgery systems, advanced imaging technologies, and well-equipped operation theaters. Patients have access to cutting-edge treatments and procedures thanks to these institutions.

Availability of a wide range of treatments: India is known for providing a comprehensive range of medical treatments and procedures. Ayurveda, cosmetic surgery, orthopedic procedures, neurosurgery, cancer therapies, and heart surgeries are just a few of the traditional healthcare options available in India. This variety of medical services attracts patients seeking specialized or alternative treatments not easily accessible in their home countries.

Similar Culture and Food: With vibrant festivals and diverse art forms, Indian culture is a mix of customs, languages and faiths. Its cuisine features a mouthwatering variety of dishes including biryani, dosas, and curries and is a beautiful blend of tastes and spices. Indian food never fails to impress and satisfy the senses, from street food to royal feasts. In India you will get the same culture and similar taste of food and the hospitality services are also similar like you are having in your own countries.

Reduced waiting times: In some countries, patients often face long waiting times for elective surgeries or specialized treatments. India, on the other hand, offers relatively shorter waiting periods, allowing patients to receive timely care. This prompt access to treatment is particularly appealing to medical tourists who are seeking to avoid delays and receive necessary procedures without prolonged waiting.

Cultural and heritage attractions: India’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and tourist attractions also contribute to its appeal as a medical tourism destination. Patients and their accompanying family members often take advantage of their visits to explore the country’s diverse landscapes, monuments, spirituality, and traditional practices. This combination of healthcare and tourism experiences makes India an attractive choice for medical travelers.

Accredited healthcare institutions: From organizations like Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Certification Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), numerous hospitals and healthcare institutions in India have obtained international certification. These accreditations ensure adherence to globally recognized standards of quality and safety in healthcare delivery.

Milestones of India in the Medical Sector

Ministry of Ayush: The ministry was founded in 2014, and its main goal is to improve the availability, standard, and efficacy of these complementary medical methods. India’s rich tradition of natural and holistic healing practices is preserved and promoted in large part because to the Ministry of Ayush.

Major Indian Hospital Chain: One of the largest hospital chains in India is Apollo Hospitals. It was founded in 1983 and has come to represent top-notch medical care. Apollo Hospitals provides a wide range of medical specialties and cutting-edge treatment facilities through its extensive network of hospitals and clinics located all throughout the nation. It has established a reputation as a top healthcare provider in India with its modern infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and skilled medical staff.

Serum Insitute of India Covid Shield: Covishield is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. It has been authorized for emergency use in various countries and is known for its efficacy in preventing COVID-19 infection and reducing the severity of symptoms.

Covaxin: Covaxin is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research. It is an inactivated vaccine that has been granted emergency use authorization in India. Covaxin has shown efficacy in preventing COVID-19 infection and is a key component of India’s vaccination efforts.

Top Cities in India for Medical Tourism

India provides medical tourism services in many places, but some of the best ones are noted for their healthcare facilities, illustrious hospitals, and medical knowledge, such as:

Delhi: Northern India’s capital city of Delhi serves as a significant center for medical travel. It is renowned for its elite medical facilities, specialty clinics, and well-known doctors. Delhi provides a wide range of medical services, including as joint replacements, cardiac care, cancer therapy, and cosmetic surgery.

Chennai: Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is frequently referred to as the “Health Capital of India.” It is renowned for its top-notch healthcare facilities, cutting-edge medical equipment, and highly qualified medical staff. The city is particularly well-known for its competence in oncology, reproductive treatments, organ transplantation, and cardiac care.

Mumbai: Mumbai, the nation’s financial hub, is home to numerous prestigious medical facilities. Numerous medical specializations, including as heart surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cosmetic operations, are available in the city. Mumbai draws patients from abroad as well thanks to its state-of-the-art medical facilities and high-caliber medical services.

Bangalore: Bangalore, dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India,” is well known for its state-of-the-art medical facilities and qualified medical staff. Particularly in the areas of orthopedics, neurology, ophthalmology, and reproductive treatments, the city is a popular location for medical tourism. Bangalore has state-of-the-art healthcare facilities that offer excellent medical care.

Hyderabad: In recent years, Hyderabad has become a key medical tourism center. The city is renowned for its top-notch medical facilities, illustrious practitioners, and niche treatment facilities. The specialties of gastroenterology, organ transplantation, cosmetic surgery, and cardiology are all practiced in Hyderabad.

Kolkata: In Kolkata, the state capital of West Bengal, excellent medical care has long been accessible. The city offers a range of medical expertise, including heart care, neurosurgery, cancer, and infertility therapies. Kolkata is renowned for its top hospitals and skilled medical staff.

Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s western city of Ahmedabad has become a major player in the medical tourism industry. The city is renowned for its cutting-edge medical facilities, specialty clinics, and proficiency in fields including orthopedics, infertility treatments, and heart care.

Due to their top-notch medical facilities, famous doctors, cutting-edge technology, and wide range of medical treatments and procedures, these cities have become important centers for medical tourism in India.

Medical procedures that India is famous for Treatment

India is renowned for offering a wide range of medical procedures and treatments. Some of the medical procedures for which India has gained recognition include:

Cardiac Surgeries: Heart procedures include coronary artery bypass grafting, angioplasty, heart valve replacement, and congenital heart disease therapies are getting more and more common in India. In hospitals across India, you may find cutting-edge cardiac catheterization labs and qualified heart surgeons.

Organ Transplantation: The transplantation of various organs, including kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, and bone marrow, has advanced significantly in India. Patients from all over the world travel to Indian transplant hospitals because of their skilled medical staff, cutting-edge surgical methods, and post-transplant care facilities.

Orthopedic Surgeries: India is famous for its expertise in orthopedic operations, including joint replacements (such as knee and hip replacements), arthroscopy, trauma surgery, and spine surgery. Indian orthopedic surgeons are proficient in intricate treatments and make use of cutting-edge methods and implants.

Oncology Treatments: India provides comprehensive cancer care for a variety of cancer forms, including diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. Advanced chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgical oncology are well-known in this nation. There are famous oncologists and specialist cancer centers in Indian hospitals.

Fertility Treatments: India has become more popular for reproductive procedures such in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), surrogacy, and egg/sperm donation. Indian fertility clinics are renowned for their skilled fertility doctors, cutting-edge labs, and reasonably priced treatment options.

Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeries: India is a well-liked location for cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures like facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation/reduction, liposuction, and hair transplants. Indian plastic surgeons are well-known throughout the world for their expertise, use of cutting-edge methods, and capacity to produce outcomes that look natural.

Dental Procedures: Dental implants, smile makeovers, braces, and root canals are just a few of the many dental services available in India. Indian dental clinics are outfitted with cutting-edge technology, expert dentists, and sophisticated facilities.

Ayurveda and Wellness Therapies: Ayurveda, a system of ancient medicine from India, is well known for encouraging overall health. Individuals seeking holistic health and wellness are drawn to Ayurvedic therapies including Panchakarma, rejuvenation therapy, and herbal cures.

An Overview of the Medical Tourism Industry in Bangalore, India

An Overview of the Medical Tourism Industry in Bangalore, India

INTRODUCTION

Medical tourism occurs when patients travel internationally to obtain privately funded medical care. Medical tourism is a global practice, with hospitals and clinics in a diverse array of destination countries vying to treat such international patients. India is one of these destination countries. In this document we provide an overview of Bangalore, India’s nascent medical tourism industry. This overview has been generated based on information gleaned from media and policy sources, field notes taken during site visits to public and private health care facilities in the country, immersive observational research,
and informal conversations with various stakeholders in Bangalore’s medical tourism industry.

Our research group is interested in developing a better understanding of the health equity impacts of medical tourism on destination countries. In other words, we are interested in understanding if and how medical tourism is helpful and/or harmful to people living in destination countries and their health. India is one of four countries that our work is focused on, which is why we have produced this profile. The medical tourism industries in Barbados, Guatemala, and Mexico are also being examined. We are studying the medical tourism industries and their impacts in these countries as part of an international grant funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. You can learn more about our research

In the sections that follow we offer some general information on Bangalore and its health system before going into detail about key developments in its medical tourism industry. Complementing the main text, five Appendices provide additional detailed insights. Appendix 1 offers a content analysis of the media coverage of medical tourism in Bangalore. In Appendix 2 we provide a narrative synthesis of policy documents regarding medical tourism in Bangalore, Karnataka and India. Appendix 3 is a summary of key agencies and actors involved in medical tourism development in Bangalore and India. Appendix 4 is a map of the medical tourism facilities in Bangalore, and Appendix 5 offers the trade and investment treaties in India.


1.0 THE CONTEXTUAL SETTING

1.1 The Karnataka State

Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, one of the four southern states of India. The state has a geographical area of 191,791 km2, or 5.83% of
India’s total geographical area, making it the eighth largest Indian state. Karnataka has a very diverse set of cultures, geographies, and languages, and is known for its emphasis on intellectual capital. It is also the only state which shares borders with all the other southern states. It has four natural regions –
the coastal region, the Western Ghats Region, the northern plains and the southern plains (Planning and Statistics Department, Government of Karnataka [PSD-GOK], 2006).

Karnataka has 30 districts, 176 sub-districts and 29,340 villages (Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs [GOI-MOHA], 2011). It has a total population of 61,130,704. The population density is 319 people per km2. The rural population of Karnataka comprises nearly 62% of the population, Figure 1 – Location of Karnataka State although this is down from nearly 66% in 2001, indicating increasing urbanization in the region. The literacy rate in the state is 75.6% (Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, 2011). The sex ratio is one of the most balanced in the country (968 females for every 1,000 males) in comparison with the national sex ratio (933 females for every 1,000 males). The Gender Equity Index (GEI) for education enrolment in Karnataka in

Figure 2 – Location of Bangalore

2009-10 was .9882, where 1 equals perfect equality in male and female education. For India the GEI for education was .66 in 2012 (Social Watch, 2012). Karnataka is ranked 12th in India on the Human Development Index (HDI) at 0.519; higher than the overall HDI for India at 0.467 (Gandhi, et al., 2011). The life expectancy at birth (projected for 2011-2015) is 68 years for males and 72.3 years for females (Central Bureau of Health Intelligence [CBHI], 2011).

1.2 Bangalore

Bangalore, officially named Bengaluru, lies in the southern part of Karnataka It has a pleasant climate throughout the year, with moderate temperatures ranging from 18°C to 32°C. It is the fifth largest metropolis in India, with a total population of 9,588,910 in Greater Bangalore, nearly 91% of whom reside in the urban area. Population growth in Bangalore was 46.68% over the past decade. The sex ratio is less balanced with 908 females for every 1,000 males. The literacy rate in Bangalore is 84% (GOI-MOHA, 2011). Bangalore is also a knowledge hub, with premier institutes like the Indian Institute of Science, National Institute for Advanced Studies, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Management, Indian Space Research Organization, and many more housed in the city. Also, due to its prominent IT industry it is also known as the ‘Silicon City’ of India. Due to its greenery, parks, and tree lined streets, it is also called the ‘Garden City’ of India. In 2000, Wired magazine identified 46 global hubs of technological innovation; Bangalore ranked 11th and was given a score of 13 out of a possible 16 points (United National Development Programmed, 2001).

1.3 Economy of Karnataka

Karnataka’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2012-2013 (at constant prices) was 56 billion USD with a per capita income of 818 USD, and a growth rate of 5.9% over the previous year. The three most important sectors contributing to the state GSDP were the agriculture sector with 15.3%, the industry sector with 25.9%, and the service sector with 58.8%, which has become increasingly important in recent years owing to the IT sector boom. In 2009-2010, the overall unemployment rate in the state was 4.2% and the youth unemployment rate was at 7%, comparing favorably with overall figures from India of 6.6% and 9.4% respectively. In 2009-2010, 23.6% of the population (14.2 million people) lived below the poverty line, even though there was an improvement of 9.7 percentage points when compared with the 2004-2005 data (Planning, Programmed Monitoring & Statistics Department, Government of Karnataka, 2012-13). The Gini coefficient of consumption, an equality measure where 0 equates to perfect equality (all persons have an equal portion of what is being measured) and 1 equates to perfect inequality (one person has all of what is being measured), for Karnataka in 2004-2005 was 0.23 for rural areas and 0.36 for urban areas (PSD-GOK, 2006).

1.4 Health Indicators

The infant mortality rate in 2011 for Karnataka was 35 per 1,000 live births, while the corresponding figure for India was 44 (Sample Registration System [SRS], 2012). The maternal mortality ratio in 2007-2009 was 178 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births, while for India the ratio was 212 (Office of Registrar General, 2011). The crude birth rate for Karnataka was 18.8 per 1,000 people, while India’s was 21.8; the crude death rate was 7.1 for both Karnataka and India; the natural growth rate for Karnataka was 11.7 per 1,000 people, India’s rate was 14.7 (SRS, 2012). Table 1 provides an overview of the various indicators for Karnataka and India.

In Karnataka, 71.6% of births were attended by skilled personnel, both within institutions and home deliveries, in 2007-2008; while for India overall it was 52.3% (International Institute for Population Sciences [IIPS], 2010). Karnataka has a high level of childhood immunization, with 76.7% of children having complete immunization, 85.1% immunized for measles, and 84.8% for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus; compared to 54%, 53.5%, and 63.4% in India overall, respectively (IIPS, 2010). In 2011, among children less than 5 years of age, there were 49 deaths from acute diarrheal disease (out of 591,989 cases), 182 deaths due to pneumonia (out of 1,629,997 cases), one death each due to diphtheria and measles, and no deaths due to neonatal tetanus or whooping cough (CBHI, 2011). Overall, Karnataka’s health indicators are in the middlegame in comparison with the other 27 Indian states.

Medical Tourism in Bangalore in India

Medical Tourism in Bangalore in India

Gulf Corner Medical Tourism, Bengaluru, a JCI certified hospital, offers leading-edge health care and state-of-the-art technology, servicing patients across the globe. The hospital is committed to invest in the latest medical technology in parallel with worldwide developments, ensuring that all patients benefit from these developments.

Gulf Corner Medical Tourism, Bengaluru offers 250 beds for in-patent treatment. In a Best Hospital Survey in 2013 by THE Week-A C Nielsen, Gulf Corner Medical Tourism was ranked the 2nd best multi-specialty hospital in Bangalore.

Besides its flagship Centre of Excellences such as The Minimal Access Surgery Centre (MASC) dedicated to the least invasive surgeries, the hospital has been recorded to perform rare procedures including Spinal Angiolipoma Excision, Tibial Tuberosity Shift with MPSL reconstruction and implantation of four autologous chondrocyte.

The facility comprises of some of the best in medical fraternity with over a hundred consultants servicing patients and is the first to use the Y shape stent for tracheoesophageal fistula in the region.

Gulf Corner Medical Tourism, Bengaluru technology treatment provided at a glance:

  • UROLOGY
  • PAEDIATRICS
  • PLASTIC SURGERY
  • HAIR TRASNPLANT SURGERY
  • ORTHOPACEDIC SURGERY
  • ENDOCRINOLOGY
  • PAEDIATRIC SURGERY
  • LAPROSCOPIC SURGERY
  • PSYCHIATRY
  • VASCULAR SURGERY
  • ONCOLOGY
  • PLUMONOLOGY
  • NEPHROLOGY
  • OBG GYNAECOLOGY
  • PAEDIATTRIC
  • ENT
  • NEUROLOGY
  • DENTAL SURGERY
  • COSMETOLOGY
  • PULMONOLOGY
  • ONCOLOGY
  • PSYCHIATRY
  • CARDIOLOGY

At Gulf Corner Medical Tourism, we understand that seeking medical treatment outside your home country can be a trying process and assist in making the experience less stressful. Plan your trip with us, or use the form to the right to have an International Representative personally assist you.

Medical Tourism In India Is Getting Better And Bigger

Medical Tourism In India Is Getting Better And Bigger

As we are moving forward in years, we could see how India is becoming the most preferred healthcare destination among the foreigners.

A growing number of tourists are flocking to India for the superlative medical treatment that is being provided by the skilled doctors. This has made India grow as a hub for the medical tourists every year. The prime reason being the cost of medical treatment in India being cheaper when compared to Western Europe, North America and some Southeast Asian countries. India has been getting a good revenue turnover from its medical tourism from past 4 to 6 years.

he NITI Aayog (The National Institute of Transforming India) identified the Medical Value Travel as a major source of foreign exchange earnings. According to a report by FICCI and IMS Health- India has nearly 18% of the global medical tourism market. In the sense, the MVT was pegged at $ 3 billion in the year 2015 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth rate) of 15%. Also, it has been estimated that India’s medical tourism industry could be worth $9 billion, and account for 20% of the global market share by 2020. The report even pointed out that India enjoyed high credibility in wellness, prevention, and alternative medicines.

“The total number of patients visiting India in the year 2017 was 4.95 Lakh,” as said by KJ Alphons in a written reply to Lok Sabha. Research also depicts that the number of the patients arriving in India for treatment stood 2.34 Lakh and 4.27 Lakh in the year 2015 and 2016 respectively. Of which, patients from Bangladesh and Afghanistan have always stayed at the top and continue to rank higher in terms of a maximum number of medical tourists arrivals in India. It is estimated that 2.21 Lakh medical tourists from Bangladesh came to India in the year 2017, 2.10 Lakh in 2016 and 1.20 Lakh in 2015. So, we can clearly see how the number is rising each year. Similarly, the highest number of medical tourists from Afghanistan was in the year 2015 – 27,505. In the year 2016 it reached to a whooping number of 61,231 and declined a little to 55,681 in the year 2017. Other than these two countries, medical tourists from Oman, Maldives, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Iraq and Yemen visit India as well.

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TOP REASONS WHY INDIA IS BECOMING FAMOUS AS A MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Being one of the fastest growing medical destinations around the world, India is predicted to drive higher with time. Everybody can get tertiary medical treatment in India which is either not available or people cannot afford it in their home country. Here are 7 major factors which make India an ideal medical tourism spot.

Low Cost of Treatment when compared to the first world countries like the US and UK. Getting Visas for medical purpose is much easier than ever. Access to immediate service is what attracts the foreign medical tourists. Surgeries are done almost immediately. Even though India is a developing country, it provides world-class and standardized medical services and care with the help of the latest technology. Post retreatment recovery provided to the patients with therapies like Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga. India provides an opportunity to the medical tourists to visit some of the most alluring and awe-inspiring places by taking them on a medical tourist trip. India has a strong base of qualified and skilled doctors. Another major factor that has made India succeed in inviting the medical tourists is the populace of good English speaking doctors, guides and medical staff which makes it easier for the foreign tourists to correlate well to Indian doctors.

COVID-19 Prevention and Safety Measures During Air Travel

COVID-19 Prevention and Safety Measures During Air Travel

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, international air travel has completely come to a halt. This has severely affected medical travelers, who are unable to fly to another country at the moment to seek quality and affordable healthcare abroad.

However, once the international air travel resumes, it will no longer feel the same. The social norms at the airport, airlines, and among the passengers are expected to change once the aviation industry resumes its operations in the post-COVID-19 era.

In the past few weeks, several international passenger airlines have announced a tentative timeline around which they plan to restart their operations, once again allowing people to travel from one country to the other. But there are a lot of things that the airlines and the source and destination airports are working on to make the transit safe and hassle-free to the passengers as well as the crew members.

Coronavirus is here to stay and even the World Health Organization (WHO) says that COVID-19 does not seem like something which will completely go away. While things may improve substantially once a cure or a vaccine is available for COVID-19, people and industries have to independently ensure the safety of their consumers and take all measures proactively to prevent further outbreak or surge in coronavirus cases due to loopholes in their operations.

The same goes for the airlines’ industry as they plan to resume its operations. The airlines and international airlines operators have to be extremely careful to protect the health of its travelers while ensuring that there are no cases of cross-country infections.

From a medical traveler’s point of view, it is important to know what these measures are to feel safe and comfortable before traveling to another country for medical treatment.

A medical traveler’s health, in most cases, is already compromised. They are not like a normal passenger traveling to another country for leisure or business. Therefore, it is all the more important to know what measures the airlines and receiving airport has implemented before knowing that it is alright for them to travel.

While a healthy person’s immunity may be robust enough to ward off infections by itself, medical travelers need to pay special attention to the arrangements that have been made to prevent people against COVID-19 as their immunity may already be compromised.

This article highlights some of the concrete ways by which international commercial airlines and airports are preparing themselves to allow movement of people, including medical travelers. Needless to mention, the sanitization and hygiene protocols will anyway be mandatory at all checkpoints of a travelers’ journey after international commercial flights resume its services.

Limited Flights To Limited Countries

Most of the airline operators around the world are planning to resume commercial flights, domestic as well as international, in a phased approach. Initially, all major flight operators such as Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa are planning to resume commercial airlines to selected countries in June 2020 and would gradually expand their reach to other parts of the world in the third quarter of the year.

Resuming commercial airline operations in a phased manner will help in two ways:

The countries will get to know if there is any surge in coronavirus cases due to possible infections brought in by a foreign national and whether or not to keep international travel limited.The gradual increase in international traffic will give the airport authorities enough time to ensure that the measures that have adopted are enough for people and if the crowd is conforming to the guidelines concerning social distancing. Any hiccups during the process can be identified and more robust arrangements can be made to ensure passenger safety in the coming times.

Social Distancing at Airports and Inside Flights

The airline operators in India and several other countries have initiated mock drills to train its staff on how to practice and follow social distancing guidelines while handling the travelers when the commercial passenger flights resume as per the schedule.

Most of the busiest airports in the world, including the Frankfurt airport, are also preparing themselves to receive international travelers. They have started to identify the areas where travelers generally have to wait in queues, including security checkpoints, baggage claim, and check-in counters. Efforts have been made already by the airport authorities to ensure that people conform to the rules of social distancing and have at least a 1.5 to 2 feet gap between them.

Some airlines are planning to implement self-check-in from home and provision to add baggage tags by the passengers themselves to avoid unnecessary crowds at the counters.

Several airports are considering using just one or two terminals to operate initially until commercials flights start running in full swing. Measures such as rear boarding, allowing only six passengers to board at a time through step-ladder (with a distance of 3 steps each between them), and keeping the middle row empty between two passengers are some of the rules that certain flight operators and airport authorities are planning to implement.

Deep-Cleaning and Sanitization

Deep-cleaning and sanitization protocols will be mandatorily followed by every airport authority and commercial airline operator once international travel resumes.

Airline operators are expected to carry the sanitization process after every one-way trip. On the other hand, the sanitization process at airports (including for marked areas, trolleys, and railings) will be carried out after every few hours each day as decided by the authorities depending on the number of visitors and daily operating flights.

Restrictions on In-Flight Services, Cabin Baggage

Many airlines are now planning to initially limit the cabin baggage that a person can carry with them to laptops, handbags, and baby items. Emirates, for example, has resumed several flights to certain countries, including those in the European Union. However, certain restrictions are there for the passengers that they have to follow to avoid COVID-19 transmission.

Travelers are now requested to check-in three hours before boarding for the recommended safety procedures. Also, the flight operator has temporarily stopped their lounge and chauffeur services and the distribution of in-flight reading material. The food and beverage services continue to remain available but with certain modifications.

Automated Passenger Screening At Airports

Automation is likely to become common at many international airports, especially the busiest ones. The use of technology involving robotics and bio-metrics is expected to be given high importance because it limits human involvement to carry out important functions, which could be highly useful at the airports.

Automation is also likely to be promoted because passengers would demand minimal human interaction and less need to touch surfaces, both of which can curb the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Therefore, medical travelers can expect to experience a range of contactless and self-service technologies that allows the authorities to conduct virtual health screening using thermal cameras and sensors.

For example, Etihad Airlines is working in close collaboration with Elenium Automation to develop a range of contactless services that can be utilized at health screening kiosks and baggage drop area at the airports with minimal to no human interaction.

Cabin Crew With Face Shields, Masks and Gloves

Gloves and masks have been made mandatory for all employees and staff at the airport and those working with the airlines. However, many airlines have made it mandatory for passengers to weak face masks throughout all stages of their journey.

The Medical Travel Process from Start to Finish Source

The Medical Travel Process from Start to Finish Source

What is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism (or health tourism) is a comparatively new direction in the worlds practice. One cannot consider medical tourism to be a branch of tourism in general. This is a separate service sphere for people with extensive health issues. The inability to receive proper healthcare services pushed the development of health tourism and gave patients the possibility to look for diagnostic and treatment alternatives abroad. Willingness to become a patient of foreign healthcare institution may be connected with several reasons such as: poor state of medicine in the patients native country, lack of trust of the skills of local doctors, unsuccessful previous diagnostic tests and treatment, the desire to receive TOP-quality medical services, and availability of innovative treatment methods abroad. Thus, according to official data, the number of people going abroad for medical issues increases annually by 20 %. It has to be mentioned, that this statistic data includes world medical tourism in general, regardless of the level of medical service in the native country of a patient. Let us explain here about how medical tourism works and what should a potential client of a foreign hospital take into consideration.

Kinds of Medical Tourism

Medical tourism market can roughly be divided into several areas: Treatment abroad – includes only offers related directly to the health problems Aesthetic procedures – plastic surgery, cosmetology and aesthetic dentistry Diagnostic programs – are popular among those patients whom the doctors in their homeland cannot establish a certain diagnosis. Also, those people who doubt their diagnosis go for diagnostics abroad Spa treatment – is also a branch of health tourism, but not for direct treatment.

This kind of medical tourism is chosen by people with minor chronic diseases, as well as with the purpose of prevention and relaxation

Popular Treatment Destinations abroad A question is, where exactly do medical tourists go and what complaints do they have to refer to the foreign specialists?

According to the International Association of Medical Tourism, the following destinations are the most popular: Plastic surgery and dentistry. Patients most often go to hospitals in Turkey, South Korea and Thailand to get treated with aesthetic or plastic surgeon. Cardiology and cardiac surgery. German hospitals are in the highest demand for the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. Here they have the highest rate of successful coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures. Orthopedics and traumatology. The most sought after orthopedic procedure is joints endoprosthetics. Hospitals in Germany and the Czech Republic have a good reputation when it comes to dealing with this area of medicine. Oncology and oncologic hematology. Treatment of cancer is a priority for the United States, Germany, and Israel. Hospitals in Turkey and South Korea have also greatly proved themselves in the treatment of cancer. Transplantation. Turkey and India are a popular destination for organ transplantation. Neurology. Treatment of neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) is best provided in Germany, Israel and Turkey. IVF and childbirth – is a sought after area of healthcare. Turkish hospitals occupy the first place when it concerns IVF. USA and Thailand should also be mentioned in this area. Diagnostics. To confirm or deny a diagnosis, to get a second opinion patients most often go to Germany and Israel. A popular treatment option among medical tourists is a comprehensive “check-up” procedure involving a complex diagnostics of the whole body. Rehabilitation. The majority of patients travel to Germany, Turkey and Israel for neurological, orthopedic or psychiatric rehabilitation.

As can be seen, Germany and Turkey are the most popular destinations for medical tourism. No doubt, the state of healthcare is very established as the healthcare system is a priority direction in the economy of these countries.