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GLOBAL SICK TURN TO INDIAN DOCs-MEDICAL TOURISM TO BE SECONDONLY TO IT IN TERMS OF VALUE BY 2012 (Indian hospitals have created a $2 billion medical tourism industry)
(India Business Insight Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)The West is ahead of India in terms of medical infrastructure, hygiene and adopting new technologies.
However, long waiting lists, lack of complete health insurance cover and stringent restrictions on the individual's health are major hurdles for patients to get speedy treatment in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and the Middle East.
On the other hand, Indian hospitals have added fringe benefits to treatment and have created a $2 billion medical tourism industry.
Medical tourism in India is expected to be second only to the information technology (IT) industry in terms of value by 2012. One of the main factors contributing to the growth in medical tourism in India is costs, including travelling expenses, are as low as 20 percent of the total cost of treatment in the US and UK. There are also other factors like doctors not wanting to risk operating upon obese patients, patients with high diabetes and blood pressure in the US and UK. Such patients come to Indian hospitals like Apollo, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Batra and Escorts for treatment. Patients are coming to India for cardiac problems, hernia operations and dental and neuro surgeries and even leg lengthening operations and plastic surgery. Patients also feel that post-operative interaction and care is much better in India.
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