Ramping up: The Apollo Hospitals group is one of muchsought after destinations by medical tourists. / The Hindu
Healthcare players say airlines, airports, hotels should work together
Chennai :
Healthcare practitioners in the State have urged all stakeholders for a coordinated effort to promote medical tourism.
While Tamil Nadu is already a hub, there is no coordination among hospitals, airlines, airports, hotels and resorts, said Srinidhi Chidambaram, Vice-President, Apollo Hospitals Group, at a CII conference on medical tourism. “All allied sectors must form a consortium to help medical value travellers.”
Raja Sabapathy, Director, Ganga Hospitals, said hospitals must also work together to share best practices and learn from one another.
Last year, the country earned revenues of $2.5 billion from health tourism, driven by factors such as affordable prices, shorter waiting period for patients, clinical excellence and high success rate. Around 1.1 million foreign patients are said to have visited India in 2012.
Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent, health tourism is poised to cross $3 billion by the end of this year.
Tamil Nadu, with its well-known hospitals in Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Madurai, contributes 40 per cent of India’s medical tourism industry. The state is especially sought-after for treatment relating to cardiology, oncology and neurology.
Mike Nithavrianakis, Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission, said apart from corporate hospitals, Tamil Nadu also boasts of several not-for-profit institutions such as Sankara Nethralaya, CMC Vellore and Aravind Eye Hospitals.
Research institute IIT-Madras is also making headway in finding innovative solutions for cataract surgeries and cheaper ultrasound scanners. British specialists and universities are willing to collaborate with the State and country for more breakthroughs, said Nithavrianakis.
But India needs to watch out for competition from Cuba, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Israel and Jordan, which are also keen on promoting medical tourism.
“Lack of uniform pricing among hospitals, lack of insurance coverage for overseas medical care and stringent visa norms are a few stumbling blocks,” said Srinidhi Chidambaram.
Widespread NABH accreditation (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) and standardised norms for alternative remedies will assure travellers of a positive experience in the country, she said.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Travel / The Hindu Bureau / April 19th, 2013
