Research Paper on

A study on opportunities and scope of medical tourism

Submitted by

Archana S
Lecturer, Dept of Commerce,
Sri Siddhartha First Grade College
TUMKUR

A study on opportunities and scope of medical tourism in Bangalore city

Abstract:

Bangalore is one of the top medical tourism destinations in India, with

professional experts, technological sophistication and health care services that easily
match the best in the world. Its reputation as the global technology hub and cosmopolitan
city has made it a prominent health care destination for foreigners from developed as well
as developing countries. Bangalore has a pleasant weather all through the year.
Healthcare has emerged as one of the most progressive and largest service sectors
in India by contributing to GDP 8 percent by 2012 and expected 30 percent by 2015.
Medical tourism to India is not just cost savings or the high Standard of medical
care facility, but also the waiting time for medical surgery treatment procedures in India
is much lower than in any other country. India offers a growing number of private centers
of excellence where the quality of care is as good as or better than that of big-city
hospitals in the United States or Europe

Introduction:
Medical Tourism is the concept of traveling to a particular destination to avail the
opportunity of the world-class Healthcare services offered by the best experienced
Healthcare professionals at the technologically most advanced medical facilities in
complete privacy and for affordable costs. The Healthcare procedure is usually combined
with a family vacation.
The concept of Medical Tourism is not a new one. The first recorded instance of
medical tourism dates back thousands of years to when Greek pilgrims travelled from all
over the Mediterranean to the small territory in the Saronic Gulf called Epidauria. This
territory was the sanctuary of the healing god Asklepios. Epidural became the original
travel destination for medical tourism.
In the recent past patients from underdeveloped countries used to travel to the
advanced industrialized developed countries to take the benefit of advanced medical
health care in the hospitals, recently the trend is reversing. As far back as 3,000 BC,
people with eye problems made pilgrimage to Syria, where healing deities were said to
perform miracles. Ancient Roman spas that were believed to cure an endless list of
ailments still offer hope and relief to bathers today.
The World Tourism Organization includes the following in its definition of
medical tourism: medical care, sickness and well-being, Rehabilitation and recuperation.
India is the land of myriad experiences and exotic locales. It is a world of
resplendent colors and rich cultural locales, be it magnificent monuments, heritage
temples or tombs. The Country's ancient cultural heritage is inextricably linked to its
technology driven present existence. The coexistence of a number of religions and
cultures, together with an awe-inspiring topography makes it the perfect place for a
complete holiday experience. The Indian medical tourism industry, growing at an annual
rate of 30 percent, caters to patients chiefly from the US, Europe, West Asia and Africa.

Healthcare sector in India

Indian Governments spend on Healthcare is estimated to be 8 percent of its GDP by
(Department of Tourism). Medical tourism remains the most obvious reason to be aware
of Indian healthcare resources. Medical tourism is a growing sector in India. In 2008 the
size of the industry was around Rs. 1,500 crores. Indias medical tourism sector is
expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30 percent, making it a Rs. 9,500 crore
industry by 2015. Healthcare has emerged as one of the most progressive and largest
service sectors in India with an expected GDP spend of 8 percent by 2012 from 5.5
percent in 2009.Many countries have adopted a proactive approach for medical tourists
and are facilitating it as a revenue generating business. The Indian government has begun
Introduction to recognize the potential of tourism to Indian economy and has begun to
invest in tourism infrastructure.
Medical tourism industry and India.
India has always been a regional health care hub for the health care tourists from
the neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, UAE
and Maldives; recently India has emerged as one of the most important Global destination
for medical tourism or health care travel. Now international patients from the developed
countries like USA, Canada, UK, Europe etc. travel to India for the low-cost medical
surgery treatments like knee joint replacement, total hip replacement, hip resurfacing,
weight loss procedures- gastric lap band, RNY gastric bypass, heart procedures, elective
surgeries and also for rejuvenation therapies promised by yoga and Ayurveda. However, a
nice blend of top-class medical expertise at attractive prices is helping more and more
corporate hospitals in India to lure global foreign patients for high end surgeries like
organ transplants. As more and more patients from Europe, North America and other
affluent nations with very high medical costs and long wait lists look for effective options
of immediate, low-cost, affordable treatments, medical health care travel to India is
definitely on the cards for most of them and the fast growing Indian corporate health
sector is fully geared to meet that need.

Medical tourism to India is not just cost savings or the high Standard of medical
care facility, but also the waiting time for medical surgery treatment procedures in India
is much lower than in any other country. India offers a growing number of private centers
of excellence where the quality of care is as good as or better than that of big-city
hospitals in the United States or Europe.
The medical care sector in India has witnessed an enormous growth in
infrastructure in the private and voluntary sector. The private sector, which was very
modest in the early stages, has now becoming a flourishing industry equipped with the
most modern state of the art technology at its disposal. It is estimated that 75% of
healthcare services and investments in India are now provided by the private sector.
Health and medical tourism is perceived as one of the fastest growing segments in
marketing destination India today. India could earn $2 billion annually and create 60
million new jobs by subcontracting work from the British National Health Service, the
head of Indias largest chain of private hospitals.

Objectives:
To study the scope of medical tourism in Bangalore city
To find out opportunities of medical tourism in the Bangalore city
To analyse the contribution of medical tourism to Economy

MEDICAL TOURISM IN BANGALORE

"Flying in from 30 different countries, 'medical tourists' account for 10 per cent of
patients in the top hospitals, but the majority are seen from UAE and Saudi Arabia,"
Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences chairman Dr Devi Shetty says.
To cater to the inflow of patients from West Asia, Narayana Hrudayalaya is
planning to construct a five-star hotel near its premises to accommodate overseas
clientele -- a more feasible option than upgrading hospital rooms to suite class.
"This way patient could come to hospital for treatment and post, as well as
recuperate in the hotel rooms," explains Shetty, whose 'Narayana Health City' a 5,000bed, super specialty hospital on a 30-acre land is also under way.
Manipal Hospital registers 3,000 patients from overseas, particularly the Gulf. No
wonder Manipal Health Systems MD-CEO R Basil is excited about the new 650-bed
hospital at Hebbal an add-on to their existing 200-bed infrastructure on Airport Road.
St John's One World Hospital's USP of providing both allopathic and traditional
mode of treatments adds to the buzz. "A single room for a patient who has undergone a
complex heart operation bills him Rs 2.5 lakh at least three times cheaper than in most
other countries," Wockhardt Hospital CEO Vishal Bali says.
Scope for medical tourism in Bangalore
Bangalore could provide unprecedented opportunities both as a market & as
solutions:
Consumers expectations are increasing as well as costs are also increasing: there is a
growing imbalance between the developed and underdeveloped countries. Some
countries are vulnerable to bioterrorism and thus it needs to have a restructuring of health
delivery systems.
India offers holistic healthcare addressing the mind, body and soul, with yoga,
meditation, Ayurveda, allopathy and other traditional Indian systems of medicine.
Tourists travel India for rejuvenation promised by yoga and Ayurveda.

 Due to demographic changes & disease patterns, unhealthy work/life environment,

pollution, epidemics, natural disasters, and ethical considerations there is growing
demand for the healthcare services.
Bangalore holds a strong reputation in advanced healthcare segment, viz., cardiovascular surgery, and organ transplanted eye surgery countries along with the diversity of
tourist destinations.
Bangalore offers a vast array of services & customized medical packages along with the
cultural warmth which other countries of world cannot even think of.
Improved services with low cost: In India world class medical services are available at
comparatively low cost.

Challenges before medical tourism in Bangalore

No strong government support or initiative to promote medical tourism.
Poor coordination between the various players in the industry- hospitals, air line
operators, and hotels.
Customer perception as an unhygienic country.
Lack of proper regulatory system for hospitals.
Lack of uniform pricing policies across hospitals.
Strong competition from countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Lack of international accreditation.

Recommendations
Government should support or initiative to promote medical tourism by increasing
air connectivity linking to major cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad,
Kolkata etc create health support infrastructure.
India should offers holistic healthcare addressing the mind, body and soul, with
yoga, meditation, ayurveda, allopathy and other traditional Indian systems of
medicine. Tourists travel India for rejuvenation promised by yoga and Ayurveda
treatment.
Administration should concentrate more on hygiene factors.
Coordination between the various players in the industry- hospitals, air line
operators, and hotels should be increased.

Bibliography
1. Renee-Marie Stephano, Esquire President Medical Tourism Association, Medical
Tourism-An International Healthcare Guide.
2. Asian Healthcare infrastructure, Asian Medical Tourism,2008 2012.
3. http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com/en/medical-tourism-faq-s.html