A study has disclosed that India ranks second in medical tourism all
through the world by spending just 1.2% of its GDP on health matters.

The study also said that India takes proper care of patients, which comes from foreign countries.

In 2007, around 4.5 lakh foreign patients were treated in Indian hospitals as compared to other nations.

Thailand topped the list with a record number of 12 lakh.

The
two-year study conducted by healthcare researchers Deloitte also said
that India treat patients not only from its neighboring states and West
Asia, but also treat a large number of patients from US and other
European nations.

The report also said that inflow of patients
to India hospitals from the European nations has been increasing in a
gradual manner.

The large number of patients prefers India because of cheaper treatment during this global financial meltdown.

However, there are also other factors that gave rise to the medical tourism in the country.

Vishal
Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Group of Hospitals said, “Indian clinical and
paramedical talent is globally appreciated and with JCI accreditation
of some hospitals, international standard is proven. Third-party
intervention through health insurance has also given it a boost.”

“Thailand,
which revolutionized medical tourism, is more into cosmetic surgery;
India focuses on cardiac, neurological or orthopaedic problems,” Vishal
said.

The report said that other noteworthy factor is long patient waiting list, particularly in the UK and Europe.

While the per-capita healthcare expenditure is $720 in Korea, in India it is $94 only.

Medical
tourism showcases the potential of Indian healthcare sector to the
world which dreaded India for the incidence of AIDS, tuberculosis,
cancer, malaria and diabetes.