Indian Government All Set to Boost Medical Tourism
February 10th, 2009INDIAN GOVERNMENT ALL SET TO BOOST MEDICAL TOURISM
MDA Scheme to be announced soon
New Delhi, 10th February, 2009
In a shot-in-the-arm for healthcare tourism, the tourism ministry is
planning to extend its market development assistance (MDA) scheme to cover
Joint Commission International (JCI) and National Accreditation Board (NABH)
certified hospitals. A policy announcement this effect is likely very soon.
The MDA scheme offsets overseas marketing costs for travel companies earning
foreign exchange. By opening up the MDA, hospital groups will be made
eligible for financial assistance, including publicity through printed
material, travel and stay expenses for sales-cum-study tours and
participation fees for trade fairs and exhibitions, subject to an upper
ceiling.
“The MDA scheme for medical tourism is under active consideration and will
apply only to accredited hospitals. It should be finalised within a week,”
tourism ministry director Dr Prabhakar Dubey said. There are about 60
accredited hospitals in India, of which the big groups have independently
facilitated tie-ups with US-based insurance companies such as Bluecross
Blueshield and Anthem Wellpoint but smaller players have relied on agents
due to high costs.
According to Pradeep Thukral, Group Head-International Marketing, Apollo
Hospitals, “The ministry is prompting all players to form a
government-industry partnership on the lines of Nasscom to strengthen the
Indian healthcare brand overseas. Efforts will be made to launch uniform
pricing bands and to combine medical packages with travel products.The
potential for forex earnings through this route is huge. On an average, a
medical traveller spends about $7,000 as opposed to a holiday traveler who
spends $3000,” Mr Thukral added.
“With the change in global dynamics, it is the right time for the government
to provide impetus to this industry and to learn from countries like
Singapore and Thailand, which have participated with hospitals to draw
patients
A study by global consultancy Deloitte pegs the global market for medical
tourism at $60 billion. India received an estimated 4,50,000 medical
tourists in 2007, double the volumes registered in 2005, offering services
at one-fifth the costs of developed nations.
Analysts expect the industry, which is growing at an annual rate of 44%, to
get a boost from this move as it will help develop business linkages.
Pradeep Thukral
Group Head – International Marketing,
Apollo Hospitals Group, India
Phone – +91 9810907151
Email - [email protected]
