Disadvantages Of Medical Tourism

INTRODUCTION

Medical tourism is defined as provision of cost effective medical care in association with the tourism industry to provide various form of treatment. India offers cost effective medical treatment, cost of which is almost one sixth of that of other developed countries. Treatment in India is considered as “First World treatment at Third World prices”. Major investments have been made in the medical infrastructure in recent years as government gives tax incentives to hospitals who provide treatment to international patients. The government has also removed visa restrictions on tourist visas that require a two month gap between consecutive visits. Because of its gaining popularity all over the world it is now known as “medical value

STRENGTHS

India has a number of hospitals offering excellent treatments in nearly every medical sector ranging from cardiothoracic surgery to dentistry. For its quality of services and infrastructure available, foreigners are increasingly flocking India. Price advantage is, of course a major selling point as it offers quality treatment at a tenth of the cost abroad. Diagnostic cost & cost of medicines is lesser in comparison with that in developed countries. Thus, the notion ‘First World Treatment at Third World Prices’.

In addition, India has internationally reputed hospitals and doctors equipped with medical technology, which is at par with international standards. Doctors and staff can communicate in English, thus making it more convenient for tourists from English speaking countries. Absence of racial discrimination makes it preferable for patients especially those from Africa. Foreigners are also attracted to Indian Systems of Medicine like Ayurveda and Yoga.

WEAKNESS

As of 2014, India has just 21 JCI accredited hospitals that limit the number of patients coming in, especially from developed

In promoting medical tourism, government may act as a regulator to private health provider by providing uniform grading according hospital status and so accreditation system. This is very important factor because only accredited hospital will be able to provide high quality services with uniform pricing for similar procedure in various hospital. Furthermore, government may also act as a facilitator to motivate private investment in medical infrastructure. The government should also promote FDI in medical tourism so that number of provider would increase. Not only FDI but also conducive fiscal policy should be enacted so that overall expenditure by private player will be