Since the pandemic, a lot has been said and contemplated regarding what will the Future of medical tourism in India, be like? There is no secret behind the fact that not just India but many countries have suffered losses of life and property during the pandemic. The cost of medical expenses saw an all-time high during the pandemic period, and this only makes one wonder, how much is enough when it comes to medical and healthcare!

However, India also comes to the rescue in this sense. How? Recent studies have shown that medical tourism in India is going to restart with a better push to be at around 9 Billion USD. Along with such huge numbers, there are also startups that are driving the growth of medical tourism in India. As treatment partners to patients across the globe, they are marking their presence in almost every continent.

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What lies ahead for the Future of Medical Tourism In India?

India is ranked 10th out of the top 46 countries in the world in the Medical Tourism Index 2020-21 by Medical Tourism Association. While MVT for India was projected to be USD 9 billion by 2020, despite the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism and hospitality industry, the medical tourism sector is estimated to have been worth USD 5–6 billion. MVT in India is expected to grow to USD 13 billion by 2022.

What makes India a choice for medical tourism?

Atithi Devo Bhava (अतिथि देवो भव:) is the core ethos of Indian hospitality, the guiding thought for hosts to go out of the way in treating guests with the same reverence as God.

This philosophy guides the Indian tourism and hospitality sector to welcome tourists from all over the world and extend them an unforgettable experience. Coupled with the vastness of Indian land and water bodies, the geographic and cultural diversities, and rich historical and natural heritage, India is one of the most remarkable tourist destinations in the world.

The fact that India is also one of the countries that have produced the finest doctors around the world, gives an edge for it to be chosen as a medical tourism destination.

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What is the difference in Costs with Western Countries?

Making the future of medical tourism in India successful includes the cost factor in it as well. It is the cost of medical care that is lower without compromising the quality of healthcare.

A lot many patients have explained how they received equally quality care in India at more than 60% reduction when compared to the western countries.

What makes India a leading Medical Tourism Destination?

For a country to establish its credibility as a medical tourism destination, it needs a world-class healthcare ecosystem and proven prowess to conduct superlative medical procedures. The following are some of the factors that make Indian healthcare services a medical tourist magnet: 

• Low-Cost & High-Quality Service
• Better Facility of Medical Care
• Best Doctors and Hospitals
• Great Accommodation Options 
• A good post-treatment tour 
• Least waiting time 

What had been the growth in the past?

One cannot predict a bright future without understanding the past of an industry so big. As per the Financial Express, “In 2015, foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India on grounds of medical visa were recorded as 2,33,918, which more than doubled to 2017. Between 2017 and 2019, India experienced over 40% growth in FTAs, with the number of tourists increasing from 495,056 in 2017 to 697,000 in 2019.”

According to statistics, India receives most of its medical tourists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nigeria, Kenya, and Iraq. There is a huge potential for India to realize and aggressively advance towards attracting medical tourists from other parts of the world including Europe and the Americas.

What is the Government doing for the betterment?

The GOI has been mature to react to the need of reviving the medical tourism sector. In this consideration, efforts have been made to draft the National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism. These include the following major points:

• Distinct roles are defined for five ministries and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).
• State Governments to enhance the ground infrastructure and promote medical tourism proactively.
• Transparency in transactions by hospitals and healthcare facilities.
• Industry associations to create market outreach and promote Brand India.
• Allied sectors to boost accessibility by flights and accommodation.

Along with this, the National Health Authority is pushing Ayushman Bharat and trying its best to bring enough knowledge to the medical sector regarding various potentials and horizons of the industry.

The future of Medical tourism in India looks brighter and better than before. This only makes it better for the patients across the globe who are not able to access the right kind of better quality healthcare.

(Also Read: India Revives Its Medical Tourism Post COVID, Here’s How!)