IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with lead partners Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation organised Medical Tourism Conclave recently in Mumbai. Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Government of Maharashtra was present during the inauguration of the conclave.
Speaking about the potential of medical tourism in Maharashtra, Singh said, “Maharashtra aims to be the number one destination for medical tourism through state-of-the-art health care facilities, well-trained medical professionals and low cost of delivery compared to Tamil Nadu and Delhi. Our objective is to provide infrastructure, hospitals and medical facilities in Pune, Nagpur and other centres across the state. To further boost this segment, we are planning to create a web platform which will provide various services and facilities to global patients seeking assistance in India. The Indian medical tourism industry is expected to grow from current US$ 3 bn to US$ 8 bn attracting medical tourist from Bangladesh, Iraq, GCC, CIS region and Africa.”
The first panel discussion of the conclave included speakers with an array of expertise. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Pravin Amin, Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Center, Physician and Intensivist. Speaking about the scope of orthopaedic surgeries under medical tourism, Dr. Darius Soonawala, Orthopaedic and Joint replacement surgeon, Jaslok Hospital said, “Orthopaedic is very ideal and relevant for medical tourism in India. It is a fast track surgery with less complications and speedy recovery rate. In United States, an average hip or knee replacement costs around Rs. 35 lakhs, in UK close to Rs. 15 lakhs and in India the surgery can be done in Rs. 3.5 lakhs. Companies in India should tie-up with insurance companies abroad and tap this segment.”
According to Dr. S Natarajan, Chairman and Managing Director, Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, India is the leader when it comes to ophthalmology. India receives a lot of medical tourists particularly for this segment. He added, “There is a vast difference in terms of the cost and we deliver world-class quality here in India. We get a lot of patients from Africa, the Middle-East and also South America. Also, every year we train around 100 surgeons who come to India.”
According to statistics, 27 per cent of medical tourism in India happens in Maharashtra with Mumbai leading from the front with 80 per cent. Chennai has emerged as the next biggest destination with 15 per cent.
Dr. Nikhil Parchure, Cardiologist, Apollo Hospital said, “Awareness is a key challenge for the Indian market. For example, a cardiovascular surgery in the United States costs around Rs. 80 lakhs, whereas in India it is between Rs. four to five lakhs. Also, in US the mortality rate in during a bypass surgery is around 2-2.5 per cent, and in India it is as low as 0.5 to 0.7 per cent. Most aren’t aware that we also perform Robotic surgeries in India. It is very popular in south India. We have done a lot of Robotic surgeries for people from the Middle-East, US, UK, etc. We also do a lot of heart transplants for people from Russia.”
Cosmetic surgeries are one segment which is rarely covered in any of the insurance schemes. The client has to pay by himself, in such a situation the cost factor surely comes into play.
Dr. Vinay Jacob, Cosmetologist, Bombay Hospital said, “Aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries both have a very good potential in India. The only way we can attract more medical tourists is through the digital platforms. Every year we welcome a lot of clients coming in from the Middle-East, Africa and SAARC nations.”
Indian pharmaceutical industry has become way more advanced in the last decade. Most of the machineries and equipments are produced in India. Darius added, “We have all the latest pharma machinery and equipments developed in India under the ‘Make in India’ scheme, but we still haven’t been able to promote it. China is way ahead of us in this sector.”
