Medical roots that go back through the generations

Inbound medical tourism to India is rising, say trave agents. Kuni Takahashi / Bloomberg News

Prashant Narayan, the chief operating officer and head of leisure travel inbound business at Thomas Cook India, talks about India’s rise as a medical tourism destination for both conventional treatments and alternative medicine.

What are the reasons for the growth of medical tourism in India?

India’s medical history traces back to the Atharva Veda, the first Indian text dealing with medicine. Large numbers of inbound travellers visit India for treatments across cardiology, orthopaedics, nephrology, oncology and neurosurgery. India also witnesses immense popularity for its world-class ayurveda, yunani and yoga treatments, which has passed down hundreds of generations. On account of affordable surgeries, potential for cost savings on medical procedures, improved health care infrastructure, the presence of highly skilled and experienced doctors and tranquil locations to unwind once recovered, India is unarguably one of the top three destinations for medical tourism in Asia. Thailand and Singapore are the other two Asian countries that witness demand for their medical offerings. Having stated this, India is often chosen above other destinations for medical treatment on account of its incomparable cost advantage of medical facilities over most countries.

Where do you find that medical tourists are travelling to India from?

Consumers from the Middle East, Europe and the Americas visit India for a variety of medical treatment, including surgeries which are at par with international standards and at the same time cost-effective. Many come to prestigious hospitals in umbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi for such treatment. The favourites for spa-ayurveda treatments remain Kerala and the Himalayas.

How are travel companies benefiting?

Medical tourism is gaining significant traction with numerous travel companies tapping into this opportunity. Thomas Cook India offers services such as arranging appointments with specialists at renowned hospitals and also transportation and accommodation to suit the convenience of the patient. We also give the patient and their families an option for sightseeing and shopping during their stay here.

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