Context
Minister of State for Ayush said that India has now emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for treatment and medical tourism.
About
(i) Medical tourism refers to the practice of travelling to another country or region for medical treatment, procedures, or health-related services.
(ii) The medical tourism industry in India is valued at approximately $9 billion. It attracts numerous patients from all around the globe to get advanced treatments (cardiology, transplant of organs, cancer treatments).
(iii) Medical tourism in India increased by around 33% year-on-year in 2023 nearly 6.6 lakh.
(iv) Popular destinations for medical tourism in India include cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, which are home to premier healthcare facilities.
Factors Responsible for the Growth of Medical Tourism in India
(i) High-Quality Healthcare: India has a well-established healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and skilled medical professionals.
(ii) Availability of Advanced Medical Technology: Indian hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and cutting-edge treatments(cardiology, oncology, and orthopaedics.)
(iii) Shorter Wait Times: Medical tourists can access timely treatment, often avoiding long wait times common in some Western healthcare systems.
(iv) Government Support and Policies: The Indian government encouraged medical tourism, including medical visa facilitation and promoting the sector internationally.
(v) Cost-Effective Treatment: India offers medical procedures at a fraction of the cost compared to countries like the US or Europe.
Significance for India
(i) Economic Growth: It boosts the economy by generating revenue from international patients, contributing to the healthcare sector and related industries (e.g., hospitality, transportation).
(ii) Improved Healthcare Infrastructure: To cater to medical tourists, hospitals invest in state-of-the-art facilities, which also benefits local patients by improving overall healthcare quality.
(iii) Promotion of India’s Global Image: It enhances India’s reputation as a global healthcare destination, attracting more foreign investment and partnerships in the medical field.
(iv) Technological Advancements: The demand for advanced treatments and international standards of care drives innovation and the adoption of new medical technologies in Indian healthcare.
(v) Skill Development: It fosters the development of a highly skilled workforce, as healthcare professionals gain exposure to international standards and diverse patient needs.
(vi) Diplomatic Ties: As patients from different nations seek treatment in India, they are exposed to a rich cultural heritage and hospitality. This exchange of experiences can foster greater understanding and goodwill between nations, paving the way for strengthened diplomatic ties.
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Challenges
(a) Strong competition from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Most of the medical care is not covered by insurance, which makes medical value travel (MVT) less attractive.
(b) The MVT facilitators are not well organised and accredited. Many unprofessional agents exploit the medical value traveller.
(c) Lack of Regulations: There are no comprehensive regulations to govern the MVT sector. Due to this, it remains unorganised and lacks monitoring of the quality of services.
(d) Promotion of MVT: Individual Hospitals are carrying out their publicity, but there is no effective campaign to establish India as a brand for medical value travel.
(e) Accreditation: Although India maintains a robust accreditation system through the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). However, there is not much awareness about it in foreign countries.
Government Initiatives
(a) The “E-Medical Visa” and the “E-Medical Attendant Visa” – introduced for citizens from 156 countries.
(b) The Ayush Visa is available for tourists who wish to visit India for medical tourism.
(c) The government has launched the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and the Responsible Traveller campaign.
(d) The Heal in India initiative aims to promote Medical Value Travel in the country. Also, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has developed the Medical Value Travel Digital Portal to facilitate foreign patients coming to India for treatment.
(e) Indiahealthtourism.com launched in three languages – Arabic, Russian, and French – by the Commerce Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health to provide comprehensive information to travellers.
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Way Forward
(i) Diversify Source Countries:
(a) Target developed nations: Attract patients from countries like the US, UK, and Canada by emphasising cost-effective and timely healthcare.
(b) Focus on long waiting lists: Highlight India’s shorter waiting times for procedures common in developed nations.
(ii) Promote Wellness Tourism:
(a) Market AYUSH: Promote Ayurveda, yoga, and other holistic therapies to attract wellness seekers.
(b) Combine medical and wellness: Develop packages that integrate healthcare with tourism and rejuvenation.
(iii) Strengthen Regulatory Oversight:
(a) Regulate agents: Utmost importance in ensuring ethical practices to protect patients’ interests by regulating this industry.
(b) Promote transparency: Transparency in medical procedures and operation costs will ensure the trust of the people.
(iv) Leverage Telemedicine:
(a) Expand access: Utilise telemedicine for consultations and follow-up care to enhance accessibility.
(b) Pre-booking consultations: Allow patients to consult with doctors remotely before booking a trip.
(v) Digitalisation:
(a) Online MVT Portal: Establish a comprehensive online platform for information, booking, and patient support.
(vi) Capacity Building:
(a) Training and development: Invest in training programs for healthcare professionals and support staff, including cross-cultural sensitivities and language skills.
(b) Partnerships: Collaborate with the travel industry to develop comprehensive travel and healthcare packages.
Conclusion
Due to its quality healthcare, affordability, and shorter waiting times, India became a key destination for medical tourism. But at the same time, there is a need to address issues of communication blockages and variability in standards so that it can grow to new heights and give global competition in the sector.