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What is Medical Tourism |
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Ever wondered what would it be like if getting treated for ailments and medical problems becomes interesting and fun filled? Impossible isn't it? But the truth is that it is possible now! Medical tourism is the answer. This phenomenal new method of getting treated has grown extremely popular in nations around the world and involves people traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care while at the same time touring, exploring and experiencing the attractions of the country one is visiting. It is a growing business in Asia. Foreigners often come to this side of the continent to get therapies and treatments, which are extremely expensive in their own countries.
The recent growth in medical tourism has been due to exorbitant costs of healthcare in industrialized nations, ease and affordability of international travel, rapidly improving technology and standards of care in many countries, and most importantly the proven safety of healthcare in select foreign nations. With a whole gamut of medical treatments like joint replacements, facial and dental surgeries to cancer care, nations are drawing a stupendous number of patients from abroad.
India has always lured its fair share of tourists, drawn to the country's awe-inspiring travel scene marked by its Temples, the breathtaking Himalayas and its rich culture. But this attraction is gaining ground due to the cost of medical treatment, which is 1/5 of costs in the West. A study has indicated that the increasing number of foreign patients flocking to India for treatment could propel the country's earning to Rs.100 billion (US$ 2.3 billion) through 'Medical Tourism' by 2012.
The Confederation of Indian Industry and Mckinsey consultants jointly conducted a study and concluded that the number foreigners visiting India for treatment is expected to rise by 15 percent every year.
India is promoting its healthcare sector as a tourist attraction. Today Indian doctors have become a mighty influence in medicine across the world - from North America and Great Britain to East Africa, Malaysia, and Singapore. High health care costs in developed countries, has patients looking overseas for medical treatment. Taking advantage of this, India is capitalizing on its low costs and highly trained doctors to appeal to these medical tourists. The quality of services found in India is often better than found in United States or UK. Add to this the cheap airfare and traveling cost which means that people in need have the options to combine their medical requirements with tourism at practically no extra expense. The western countries do not cover insurance for Maxillo facial and dental surgeries, so India is becoming the preferred destination for these treatments.
India’s finest-rated education system is not only churning out the best of computer programmers and engineers, but also an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 doctors and nurses every year. To promote the concept, government is helping in issuing medical visas to the country, which in turn will bring more and more health tourists. Its leadership in the industry of medical tourism has led its estimate of 40 percent growth turn into reality this year. The country is not only improving as a tourist destination but also a medical tourism destination where various medical treatments are performed by qualified professionals using the latest technology at par with western standards at only a fraction of the price. The growth of medical tourism in Indian sector has now alarmed the U.S. based hospitals because of the rapid growth of patients coming to India to accomplish medical treatments by being attracted to lower costs and apt services.
The good thing about India is that it excels in allopathic treatments as well as various streams of alternate treatments like Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation and Naturopathy, which are very popular abroad.
Usually a Health Tourism company is a team of Doctors, Travel Agents, Associate Partnered Hospitals, Travel Agents and Insurance Brokers.
The entire thing is a combo of the following services:
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and technologies, Access to leading medical institutions and doctors
- Flexible and tailor made package
- Arranging treatment at Medical Centers that offer quality and personal treatment to International patients
- Organizing flights, visa and accommodation
- Coordinating treatment and correspondence on your behalf
- Liaising with the doctors and Hospitals who will be treating you
- Saving waiting time for treatments
- A support line for your relatives and friends back home
- Arranging recuperation holidays
- Transfer to airport and departure
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