Easing of visa norms to boost medical tourism

Chennai :
With the Centre easing restrictions on tourist visas that required a two-month gap between consecutive visits for people from certain countries, medical tourism  is likely to get a boost.

The tourist visa  restriction, relaxed on Monday, was introduced in November 2009 after the Mumbai terror attacks when it was found that Pakistani-American  David Headley  had breached security norms to visit India several times. With the easing of restrictions, Chennai is likely to see an increased flow of visitors from the Gulf countries for medical tourism. The Indian missions in UAE grant about 80,000 visas a year.

Mallika Mohandas, chairperson of MIOT hospitals that receives a number of patients from Oman and Iraq, said, “Though most patients come on medical visas, the easing of restrictions on tourist visas will help patients’ relatives.” Iraqi nationals who have suffered through decades of dissent and war are sponsored by various groups for treatment here.

Noted cardiologist Dr Ullas Pandurangi said, “The easing of visa norms is a welcome move as patients can meet the doctors, go back and discuss the details with their families, and return for the procedure. Earlier, most of these discussions took place over email or through intermediaries. There is nothing like a patient visiting the doctor personally.”

Abdullah Owais, a UAE national whose father is being treated in Chennai, said, “We are happy to come here as the people are nice and the treatment is world class. This is my second visit and Chennai is only a three-hour flight from there.”

According to immigration officials at Anna International Airport , at least 15 people from Gulf countries land in Chennai every day for medical treatment.

Arab patients feel at home here as a number of restaurants serve their food here. One outlet on Greams Road also delivers Arab-style food to hospitals across the city. With the easing of restrictions, the hospitality and food sector will also benefit.

Foreign tourist arrivals till this October showed a marginal increase of 6.2% compared to last year. Tourist arrivals till October stood at 52.19 lakh. Foreign exchange earnings from January to October 2012 stood at Rs 74,215 crore with a growth of 22.1% over last year, when earnings were Rs 60,780 crore.

Industry watchers are hoping that the lifting of the 60-day restriction will encourage foreign tourists to visit the country and use it as a hub while visiting Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries. India issues single-entry tourist visas for a period of three months. It issues multiple-entry tourist visas for six months.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Chennai / by Daniel P. George, TNN / December 05th, 2012

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