1. Kerala targets 1 lakh medical tourists
Estimates have shown that by 2010, Kerala could witness a growth of one lakh medical tourists. The Government is aiming to make the state a global hub for medical tourism. According to Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan - State Tourism Minister - if all goes according to plan, Kerala could become one of the top five international medical travel destinations. The Minister has stated that there has been a boost in the number of medical tourist arrivals (25 to 30 per cent). According to Balakrishnan, medical tourism is the most rapidly growing sector worldwide and the state government has put in extra efforts to promote this growing sector. The Kerala government is drawing plans to come up with a medical tourism policy for the next five years.
Being a major player in the medical tourism sector in the country, Kerala is to be the first state to announce the policy. "We are planning to announce the policy during the inaugural session of Kerala Health Tourism 2007," said Balakrishnan. Thursday, April 26, 2007
Source: The Hindu Business Line
Investments in Medical Tourism
1. THE NR EYE: Kerala- new destination for investors
The beautiful South Indian state of Kerala is becoming a very appealing tourism investment destination, particularly for NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) and not just Keralites. However, Kerala is seeing some foreign investors as well that would like to invest in the state's tourism potential. For several years now, the Kerala government has set its sights on promoting the state in the tourism front – be it medical or otherwise. This is now a possibility as a result of the two million Keralites who work abroad, whose allocation to India is estimated to be around Rs. 200 billion a year. It has been noticed that it isn't just the recent Infrastructure Kerala (InKel) drive that is leading to the assumption that Kerala is India's most happening medical tourism destination. There are a series of other innovative entrepreneurs and leaders that hold promise.
The government of Kerala has come up with a new health tourism policy that promises investment opportunities for Non-Resident Keralites, which ensures steady returns in the long run. The government is partnering the CII in the making of healthcare Kerala's new offering to foreigners. As part of the policy, the government has come up with a plan on an overall investment of Rs. 1,000 crore this year. Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Source: The Peninsula
Holistic Healing Centres
1. Moksha Nivas
Moksha Nivas Holistic Healing Centre Pvt. Limited is located in South Goa. One of its main specialties is Yoga, which is offered in the form of 5 day courses and 2 week or 1 month Intensives. The centre has a program where one on one sessions with an experienced yoga teacher are held. This teacher assists visitors in finding ways to bring about a healthy balance between body and mind. Monday, April 30, 2007
Source: Moksha Nivas
Visa Related Developments
1. Medical tourism: Centre considering visa on arrival
Select airports are being introduced to the concept of 'visa on arrival' on an experimental basis in an attempt to boost the number of medical tourists. There are at least 16 countries that are under consideration for the visa-on-arrival, which are being introduced at two airports – Delhi and Mumbai. The Government also plans to promote institutions that provide healthcare facilities in Kerala through its offices abroad. At the second session of the Health Tourism Summit – 2007, there was an overwhelming response from India and abroad. There was an increase in the number of candidates 800 as opposed to 400 last year. A study commissioned by CII-Kerala has emphasized the importance of developing a relation between ayurveda and modern forms of medicine to promote Kerala as an international healthcare destination. Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Source: The Hindu Business Line
Hospitals
1. P.D. Hinduja National Hospital
Hinduja Hospital is one of India's finest hospitals, using high-tech ultramodern facilities. It is a specialty tertiary care hospital containing a Medical Research Center in collaboration with Massachussetts General Hospital in Boston. The hospital has an inpatient capacity of 351 beds, inclusive of 53 critical care beds in different specialities. It offers comprehensive services, covering investigation and diagnosis to therapy, surgery and post-operative care. The Hospital philosophizes on providing "World Class Quality Health Care Services to all sections of the society" with emphasis on philanthropy. One of the hospital's most unique features is that it has over 70 hospital based consultants and some of the various specialities covered are Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, ENT, Gastroenterology, Paediatrics, Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Neurology, Urology, Nephrology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Plastic Surgery, Gynaecology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, General Medicine & General Surgery. Saturday, April 28, 2007
Source: Hinduja Hospital
Miscellaneous
1. Low Cost Quality Health Care in India
India is one of the best places for the medical treatment or any other health care in the world. Every year, thousands of visitors are coming to India from around the world just for medical check ups and other types of surgery related to bone, liver or diseases.
India is giving Thailand stiff competition in healthcare services for overseas patients with cost of surgery lower by over 30% and in fact cheapest in entire southeast Asia. Medical tourism in fast emerging as a big opportunity for India with its low cost advantage, high quality healthcare providers and an English speaking populace. Monday, April 30, 2007
Source: MedicalTourismIndia
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Dr. Roopa Nishi Viswanathan, “Live life by the day.” Born in Hyderabad, brought up in Mumbai, settled in Bangalore after living in the US, Dr. Roopa Nishi Viswanathan is a doctor-turned-biotechnologist-turned writer. Today Nishi is Chief Content Officer of Chillibreeze!
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