In four years, India aspires to become the top medical tourism destination in the world, tripling its revenue to USD 13 billion.
NITI Aayog estimates that MVT and wellness tourism could contribute an additional $9 billion to the Indian economy by 2026. Currently tenth on the Medical Tourism Index with a score of 69.80, India offers over 200 types of medical services spanning from fertility treatments to skincare. In comparison to the United States, Europe, Australia, and Singapore, cardiovascular surgeries, cancer treatment, and organ transplant surgeries are 65 to 90 percent less expensive in India. India has 40 Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited healthcare facilities and 1400 National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)-accredited hospitals.
On the 5th of June, at the 68th Regional Commission for Europe, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated, “Health tourism helps destinations diversify by creating jobs, supporting businesses, and extending these benefits to rural communities.” However, this portion of our expansive sector is particularly dependent on qualified labourers. As visitors’ expectations increase, so must the level of service offered by destinations.”
Also, at the UNWTO “Medical and Wellness Tourism” conference held in the Dead Sea area on June 8th, Jordan’s Health Minister Firas Al Hawari stated that investing in healthcare and medical tourism is essential for boosting economic growth in accordance with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (2023-2025).
Director General of the Jordon Tourism Board, Abdulrazak Arabiyat, emphasised the board’s dedication to promoting Jordan as a leading medical tourism destination with 45 marketing packages and new tourism products intended for this purpose.
The Medical Tourism Association ranked India tenth in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21, out of 46 international destinations. In addition, it represents 6% of the global MVT (Medical Value Travel) market. A year ago, an estimated 1,400,000 medical travellers visited India. According to the website of India’s Ministry of Tourism, there are 1,000 recognised nursing training centres with 10,000 nurses graduating each year. India also has Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy as well as other traditional medical systems for the treatment of a variety of ailments, thereby promoting wellness tourism.
Patients from Bangladesh, Iraq, the Maldives, Afghanistan, Oman, Yemen, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania are frequent visitors. Approximately 88 percent of all international patients visiting India are from these nations, and even the number of patients from developed nations is on the rise. The sector is anticipated to develop exponentially by 2026. Our infrastructure and diagnostic facilities are among the world’s finest and most cost-efficient, placing us at the forefront of the global healthcare industry.
Source- travel daily
Link- https://travelbizmonitor.com/the-rise-of-india-as-medical-tourism-hub/
