Healthcare Tourism - Healing Life Overseas

Bangalore has now become the Mecca for healthcare, observes R Basil

Healthcare is in focus as a new aspect of Indian tourism. The country is fast emerging as one of the most sought after medical destinations in Asia for offshore patients.

People from across the globe have been visiting India for rejuvenation packages from across the globe. Chennai and Vellor were once metaphors for the best in medicine, but catered mostly to Indians from other states. Later, Kerala created a brand for itself through Ayurveda and people from other countries trickled in. Now, people from foreign countries visit India, not just for rejuvenation, but for holistic medical treatment. Bangalore in particular is emerging as the healthcare destination of choice. Hospitals here receive patients from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Dubai, the Middle East and SAARC countries. There is an increasing trend of patients from North America and European countries as well. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Karnataka has aptly referred to Bangalore as the 'Garden of Life'.

Bangalore city life, be it in terms of restaurants, world cuisines, pubs, nightclubs, shopping malls, accessibility, business services and entertainment events among others, is comparable to any cosmopolitan city anywhere in the world. Conducive climate and affordable levels of cost of living, with good healthcare infrastructure and peaceful law and order situation, the city has it all.

Healthcare services are easily accessible and are of international standards. Medical specialisation in every conceivable discipline is available. Institutions like the Indian Institute of Science, Mental Health Research Centre, Infectious and Epidemic Diseases Research Centre have set up base here. A lot of proactive work is being undertaken in the areas of health research, garbage management, early warning systems for epidemics and so on.

The highlight of South India's medical facilities and skills are in the areas of cardiology, cancer, minimal invasive surgery, joint replacement, kidney, neuro surgery, plastic surgery and paediatrics. This coupled with significantly low treatment costs an ideal proposition.

Manipal Hospital in Bangalore epitomises all that is best in healthcare and hospitality. It is India's first multi-speciality, tertiary care hospital to be ISO 9001: 2000 certified by TUV Rhineland for clinical protocols, nursing care, administration, support and allied services. With state-of-the-art technology and 650-bed strength, the hospital provides sophisticated and specialised quality medical services at affordable costs in 43 specialties. It won the Golden Peacock National Quality Award this year for excellence in the service category. "I have found the hospital to be of superb class standards with wonderful administration as well as the staff here in the hospital. The doctors have been nothing but complimentary. I am very grateful to Manipal Hospital", said Mark Daniel from USA, admitted at Manipal Hospital for Spine Surgery.

The hospital has 155 tertiary care ICU beds and 22 operation theatres. It has widely successful transplant programme for kidney, cadavers and heart, including an artificial heart programme. It also has several paediatric specialties, widely acclaimed hip, knee and joint replacement programmes and is arguably the best in India for reconstructive plastic surgeries.

"I am delighted with the way we were received here, the way people understood our problem, the way they are very sensitive to the suffering of especially the poor people and children. I find this an exceptional experience I cannot tell otherwise," said Robert from Belgium, the father of a nine-year-old boy who successfully underwent a complicated heart surgery at Manipal Heart Foundation.

The ultra modern blood bank at the hospital is the largest in Karnataka with facilities for component separation and Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and caters to all types of emergencies.

The other attraction is that there is no waiting period for major medical procedures. "At Manipal Hospital, one thing that made the biggest impression on me was the doctors' total devotion and commitment to their patients and work", said Thadeus Bugingo from Tanzania, admitted to the hospital for cancer treatment. "At Manipal Hospital, the doctor-patient relationship is so good that it contributes a substantial percentage to the healing process of the patient," he said.

The current efforts at hospitals in Bangalore are to institutionalise and re-route patients from expensive medical destinations to super-specialty hospitals in South India. Many hospitals have set up Information kiosks in various countries to showcase their services. These centers play a major role in assisting patients and provide an array of value added services. Assistance is available to find cost-effective accommodation in hotels, service apartments and so on for patient's attenders, including transport and translator services.

Both the Indian Government and the healthcare industry have been quick to recognise the enormous potential of revenue earning. If they are able to convert even a fraction of the three trillion USD global healthcare industry, the Government can earn revenues in the form of tourism and foreign exchange!

The rich culture, hospitable and friendly people and the grandeur of this nation gives more reasons for people to come here and it's for their own well-being.

The writer is the Managing Director & CEO,Manipal Hospital & Manipal Health Systems