Medical Tourism In India

One of the perks of living in a globalized world is that the world is more connected and accessible than ever before. Of course there are pockets of areas where there is a lot of tension and conflict, but that would be the exception rather than the rule. This connected world has meant that industries from all sectors including healthcare have become interlinked across vast distances.

Manufacturing, for example, is something that the Chinese seem to do for the entire world, while India has become a giant in back end support with its large English-speaking population. One of the largest areas of growth and investment in India has been in the healthcare sector. The country has opened its regulation policies to allow freedom to the private sector to invest in world-class facilities all over the country. The people have also shown a proclivity towards the medical profession and it is one of the most popular choices as a profession for children growing up in the country.

This development of high quality facilities along with the presence of highly skilled manpower has coincided fortuitously with a boom in tourism. More people are travelling to India than ever before.

The Rise of Medical Tourism

The disparity in the cost of medical services is huge. A lot of the times, a complex procedure with an extended hospital stay recovery period in India can cause less than the deductible on the insurance that people pay in countries like the United States, United Kingdom or Australia. This, when taken into account that a lot of the doctors are the same ones who have left successful practices abroad and come back to work in the country of their birth, means that the quality is absolutely the same and no compromises are made.

READ Dental Tourism: What, Why, And Where

It is also not just the cost of the procedure that differs so much. The cost of the medication is also extremely reduced in India when compared to western countries. While the same brands may not be always available in the country, high-quality generic brands which have exactly the same drug as the "name brand" drug are easily available. 

There are some other advantages that help make India a popular destination for tourists seeking healthcare. Many people are already used to seeing Indian doctors working in hospitals in their respective countries. While even a positive generalization can be seen as racist, it is undeniable that the Indian diaspora all over the world has gravitated towards the medical field in large numbers. The country is also largely peaceful and has an inherent quality of hospitality that makes travelers feel comfortable at once.

The country is also home to some of the most popular tourists sites in the world, and travelers have an opportunity to get their treatment done and maybe even tick a few places off their "must-visit" list!

Things To Keep In Mind

Not Everything Is Perfect  

While there is a lot done right within the medical sector in India, everything is far from perfect. As a medical tourist, there are some things that you should always keep in mind. It is always better to talk to a hospital representative rather than a any "agent" or a middle man. It is quite easy to find the best hospitals on the internet and then communicate with representatives beforehand. If you are going through an agency that is putting together a short tour around your treatment procedures, make sure that you know the medical facilities that you will be checked into beforehand and that adequate post operative recovery time has been accounted for.

Some of the sectors like Ayurveda and Homeopathy are extremely popular among foreign tourists; however these are extremely poorly regulated. Be extremely weary of taking medication that is labeled Ayurvedic or Homeopathic in origin since these do not need to be tested at all under the current Indian regulatory laws.

Some institutions charge an exorbitant amount of money to foreigners, knowing that the procedure will still be cheaper than what is the norm abroad, however that does not show ethical behavior. You should be able to get an accurate estimate of what you are required to pay.

Dentistry, again something that is very expensive abroad, is available at a high quality level of care in the country. Unlike other medical procedures, is almost exclusively run by private practitioners. The concept of group practices is still nascent in the country. Talk to the dentist treating you beforehand and try and get a feel of the person you are going to be interacting with. Look for reviews on the internet and if possible, talk to people who have positive experiences and go to the same dentists.

If you have an acquaintance in the country that can do some of the legwork for you before you arrive for your treatment then it will make things a lot easier for you.

Embrace The Globalized World

There are plenty of stories of people from western countries that simply could not have got the treatment they needed without selling each and everything they owned alongside taking on immense debt, that came to India and got the exact same treatment for a fraction of the cost. India is the second most populous nation on Earth and human power — both skilled and non-skilled — is cheap over here. A natural propensity towards the English language and a flair for hosting people makes this country one of the best options to consider if you are planning to become a medical tourist.

READ Top Plastic Surgery Trends For 2015

Avoid pitfalls and traps like you would while planning any other trip, make common sense decisions and make sure you are able to communicate with your doctor and build trust between the two of you. Medical tourism is one of the perfect examples of what can be achieved when humans think of themselves as citizens of a globalized world. India is lucky to be at the center of this booming trend which looks poised to only continue and grow in the future.