Category Archives: Reports,Features, Statistics

Best opportunity to make city medical tourism hub

Nagpur :

Nagpur already draws majority of its patient load, both in government as well as in private sector hospitals, from the neighbouring states of  Madhya Pradesh,  Chhattisgarh , and bordering districts of  Andhra Pradesh. This medical reach can be extended to other states like Odisha etc, which are not medically well-equipped, provided the city gets the state-of-the-art infrastructure in all branches, specialities and super-specialities of medicine and the expert doctors in these fields.

Since the Maharashtra chief minister is from city and a neighbour, I wish that he takes steps to develop Nagpur as a medical hub for not only Central India but also entire country and even for patients from foreign countries where medicine is expensive and the patients have to wait for years for a planned surgery on a priority basis. This will not just bring money and employment to local people but also bring Nagpur on the global medical tourism map.

Almost 80% of patients visiting private practitioners like me are from neighbouring states. Many even come from abroad who after taking treatment stay back to visit some of the national sanctuaries in the region. But all this is very unorganized and happening in isolation.

Doctors here are well-qualified and trained in almost all specialities. Unfortunately, everyone is in the rat race to earn more. So, government will have to step in like in the case of some metros. If Fadnavis government makes a concrete plan for the next five years and starts working on it, I am sure after ten years Nagpur will be known for cheaper but state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Actually, it is the right time to start developing required infrastructure to make the city a medical hub and medical tourism centre. If it is not done now, we will miss the bus looking at the ongoing pace of developments in adjoining states. To begin with, in the first year the government can bring in modern technology, equipment etc while in the next four years it can complete the process of roping in the best doctors for each speciality.

For me, the idea of medical hub is creating a multispeciality centre, like at Bombay Hospital in Mumbai, which should be the best in the country. Practising specialists from different fields should be appointed for the hospital on honorarium basis and given a set number of hours but should not be bound to the hospital. They should be appointed based on their academics record and skills and not on age and experience. It should be an autonomous facility where government should walk out after creating the infrastructure. The charges for different treatments and procedures should be fixed. However, the faculty should be the best in the country even if they are visiting doctors.

With AIIMS coming up in the city, the job will get much easier for Fadnavis government. Being a teaching and research hospital, AIIMS will already have topmost experts from the country. The doctors there too can be attached to this private set up but in a very well researched and unique manner. Even the administrative part of this set up will need innovative approach.

(The writer, Dr Madan Kapre, is a well-known ENT specialist)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Nagpur / December 30th, 2014

Costa Rica is a Top Health & Wellness Vacation Spot for 2015

The Active Times, a major online source of information about active, adventurous and healthy vacations, recently announced its  Top Ten List of Health and Wellness Vacations for 2015, and Costa Rica made the list. The Active Times based its Top Ten picks on the following criteria:

source: Blue Osa

source: Blue Osa

”  For some, “getting away” not only means venturing to a quiet, calm and secluded retreat, but also letting go of everything.

Total relaxation; working up a sweat is out of the question and dietary indulgences are openly welcomed.

What if you want to travel to a place where you can truly relax, but also improve your health and wellbeing at the same time?

From yoga on the shores of Costa Rica to scenic hikes through the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, the following trips feature activities and amenities that focus on every aspect of wellness for a truly unique and, most importantly, stress-free escape from life’s rigid rules and restrictions. “

The Blue Osa Resort in Costa Rica is number four on the list. This resort, which is located in the Southern Pacific region of our country , is described by The Active Times as follows:

” This beachfront eco-resort focuses on yoga as a means of rejuvenation.  Those “seeking solace from the hectic world” are welcomed to the intimate setting within the Costa Rican rainforest. All meals at Blue Osa are freshly prepared with organic locally-sourced produce and a building devoted entirely to yoga features an open-air second floor studio overlooking a private beach. Guests can visit as individuals, with groups or as part of pre-organized yoga retreat programs, but no matter which type of trip you choose you’re sure to experience a truly restful and relaxing getaway. “The health and wellness tourism sector of Costa Rica vacations is well-represented by several resorts; most of them focus on yoga and relaxation as well as organic nutrition  and holistic counseling. Finding previous reports on these resorts as well as the amenities and activities offered is easy; just follow this link http://news.co.cr/?s=yoga

source: http://www.news.co.cr / The Costa Rica Star / Home / by Jaime Lopez  / December 26th, 2014

Sagres Vacations and Medical Port Announce 3 Customized Medical Tourism Program

United States :

Medical Port, the Portuguese Medical Tourism Facilitator that acts as the gateway to private medical care in Portugal, and Sagres Vacations, a US based tour operator focused on delivering enriching tour and travel programs in Portugal, have established a partnership to promote specific medical tourism packages for consumers in the  United States.

Upholding the customers’ needs above all and being able to attend to their individual needs and dreams, both companies have decided to partner and promote dedicated medical tourism packages for the North-American market.

Portugal has been increasing its reputation in the North-American market as a preferred touristic destination in Europe but until now it has been an unknown destination for Americans seeking Medical Travel. With this in mind, Medical Port and Sagres Vacations have created the following customized programs;

PREVENTION IS THE KEY A one week Medical Tourism package for couples to reinforce their commitment to healthy living by combining a thorough health examination in internationally accredited hospitals with Mediterranean cuisine sessions, country-side walking and stress-free activities.

MY HEALTH IS MY CHOICE aims at identifying the causes for obesity and tackles them in a holistic way (mind and body) in order to achieve sustainable results. This two week program also includes utilizing mindfulness based therapies as a powerful tool to make effective behavioral changes and several detox sessions to remove unwanted excesses.

SMALL DETAILS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE is especially designed for two or more female friends that want to feel and look younger without the need for surgery. You and your friends will “shine” and feel like movie-stars. It includes dermo-fillers, private shopping experience, make-up and hairdresser sessions and other surprises. A truly 100% girls package to start 2015!

Three programs to start 2015 with an important objective:  Ensure your health comes first. Learn more more at http://www.medicalport.org

About Medical Port

Medical Port is the first Global Medical Tourism Facilitator dedicated to gather Portugal’s expertise in Medical Services as well as renowned hospitality in the benefit of the client.

The company’s goal is to provide clients with proper alternatives for medical treatments in private hospitals and clinics in Portugal. Proper meaning cost-effective, quality driven, according to clients’ timings and customized to specific needs. Medical Port makes sure the entire process is quick, smooth and trouble-free, making sure your health comes first.

About Sagres Vacation

Sagres Vacations is a full service travel agency and tour operator bringing clients’ dream destination to reality. The company helps clients to create memorable journeys to Portugal and around the world by highlighting the local traditions, cuisine, history, and iconic sites of all the destinations.  Our extensive vacation and tour planning services and experience will give you a perfect itinerary, tailored specifically to meet your travel needs.

The difference in travel is in its quality, service and details. At Sagres Vacations they pride themselves in offering a personalized travel experience for all the customers.

source: http://www.travpr.com / TravPR.com / Home> Industry> Health-Spa / United States – December 10th, 2014

Israel Hailed As A World Leader in Medical Tourism

Medical Tourism Index ranks Israel alongside Canada and UK as one of most attractive destinations for medical travel in 2014. Industry generates more than NIS 1 billion a year in income

Photo Caption: Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem

Photo Caption: Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem

Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Singapore and Costa Rica are among the most attractive destinations in the world for medical tourism in 2014, according to a global index published last week by the Medical Tourism Association.

The survey was conducted among 5,000 Americans by the International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC).

According to the Medical Tourism Index (MTI), medical travel to Italy, South Korea, Spain, Colombia and Dubai is also gaining appeal.

The MTI measures the attractiveness of a country for medical travel along three key dimensions and 34 underlying criteria.

Canada topped the lists for “country environment” and “medical tourism costs,” Costa Rica for “destination attractiveness,” and Israel for “medical facility and service.”

According to Renée-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association, the MTI “makes a significant contribution so far as providing unbiased information about medical tourism across the globe.

“This information provides not only what patients need to know when planning a medical journey overseas, but serves as a valuable tool for governments, employers and insurance companies, hospitals and doctors, facilitators and related travel and hospitality industries throughout the world.”

The 2014 MTI considered 30 countries – about 60% of the world’s population – from Africa, Asia, Central America, Middle East, South America and North America.

The Medical Tourism Association is an international nonprofit trade organization for the medical tourism and healthcare industry made up of top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliates, which is says are committed to promoting the highest level of quality healthcare to patients in a global environment.

Israel’s Finance Ministry decided recently to impose taxes on medical tourism. According to the proposal, a tax of 15% will be imposed on medical tourists, in addition to an 18% value-added tax on medical tourism services.

According to estimates, Israel’s medical tourism industry generates more than NIS 1 billion (about $250 million) a year in income and attracts some 60,000 tourists to the country, including patients and their family members or escorts.

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau has slammed the Treasury’s plan to impose taxes on medical tourism, saying that the move “will cause irreversible damage to the tourism industry and to Israel’s image in the world.”

According to the minister, the main victims of the taxation will be Israeli patients and small and medium-sized businesses, as the income from medical tourism allows hospitals to purchase modern equipment and allows the Treasury to allot resources to improve the service to Israel’s citizens.

Landau defined medical tourism as a goose laying golden eggs and said that imposing taxes on the industry would be like killing that goose.

“There is no logic in imposing a series of decrees on a field which contributed, first and foremost, to Israeli patients, to small and medium-sized businesses, to the state’s coffer and to its image,” he said.

“This decision will not only fail to put money in the state coffer, but will also lead to the loss of more than one billion shekels a year in income.”

Reprinted with permission from Ynet News

source: http://www.shalomlife.com / Shalom Life / Home> Health> Israel / by Danny Sadeh / December 09th, 2014

Gallery

Health and wellness industry to get boost from Karnataka government

Bengaluru : With health spas, cosmetic surgeries and detox regimens beckoning a greying population to Karnataka from across India and abroad, the health and wellness tourism industry is poised for a big leap. To encash on this growing trend, the … Continue reading