Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s largest and leading healthcare service provider, acknowledges Government of India’s step to expand the scope of e-tourist visas and include short term medical needs
Welcoming the reform, Dr K. Hari Prasad M.D, President – Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited said, “This is indeed a welcome move. Medical tourism is an inherent strength of our country and our healthcare system. The country is at the unique cusp of cost effectiveness with cutting edge expertise. India attracts over a million patients every year from over 121 countries and we have the most inflow from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. But this is the tip of the iceberg; India can serve millions more who are keen to be treated in our nation.
At the moment, reports indicate that India’s medical tourism is estimated to be around $3 billion, which is a miniscule share as compared to the global market pegged at US$ 17 billion. Progressive changes in policies coupled with regulatory changes will ensure easy travel and will bring down this disparity between Indian and global medical value travel market and help us capitalize the opportunity this sector offers. India which has already been attracting patients for care, will emerge as a destination of choice due to more liberal e-visa policy. The step will boost our commitment to make India the Healthcare Destination for All.”
Estimates show that medical procedures in India allows a saving of about 65-90% as compared to cost of certain procedures in the US. For instance, a heart bypass surgery that costs about $130,000 in the U.S., will cost the patient just about $7,000 in India.
Over the years we have seen many patients travel to India for medical treatment and majority of travellers choose India for solid organ transplants ((Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Heart, Lung, and Intestine), treatment and management of Cancer and Cardiovascular diseases, excellence in orthopaedics (joint and spine; sports medicine) and Neurosurgery. Reproductive (fertility, IVF, women’s health) treatment, Weight loss (LAP-BAND, gastric bypass) surgeries along Cosmetic surgery and Dentistry (general, restorative, and cosmetic) have also started attracting patients recently. With government’s positive outlook to ease certain policies, India will soon shine as a desired destination for excellent medical care.