What is Medical Tourism?

Medical Tourism, popularly also known as “Medical Travel” or “Health Tourism” or “Global Healthcare” is a terminology that was initially introduced by travel experts to describe the fast-growing practice of people traveling across country borders in order to obtain healthcare facilities. Medical tourism can be broadly defined as the provision of 'cost effective' private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized medical treatments.

The most common procedures that people generally travel for, include, Cardiac Surgery, Orthopedic joint replacements, cosmetic procedures, Ayurveda, acupuncture, dental procedures etc. Almost every kind of Medical treatment is made available to the most selective and discerning patients around the globe through Medical Tourism Facilitators like SurgeryPlanet, , a leading Global Medical Tourism Company Based in USA with offices in many countries including India. They provide clients with door to door bookings, Free cost estimates for medical treatments, travel arrangements and assist clients through the process of consulting with the hospitals and surgery bookings, tourism bookings etc. A detailed step by-step process and follow up by your case manager will ensure comfortable travel to the hospital destination, where you will be treated by a team of highly qualified doctors in renowned and well equipped hospitals. Surgery Planet will assist you through the entire process and assist you to return home comfortably

Medical Tourism in India

The Medical industry is in full bloom in India as more than 5.9 million overseas tourists are expected to visit India in 2010 while the figure is anticipated to go beyond 6.3 Million in 2011. The average annual growth rate in the number of international medical tourists’ arrival to the country is predicted to be 7.46% during 2009-10 which is much higher than previous figure of 5.85%. As of now, a number of medical tourism facilitators successfully operate in India by providing ‘Delight’ to their international clients.

The health tourism industry in India is gaining ground where we have more and more foreign nationals opting for India as a place for various medical and relaxation needs. The most common treatments that people sought for in India are heart surgery, knee transplant, cosmetic surgery and Dental care. Excellent infrastructure along with world class hi-tech medical facilities ensures that India is the most sought after destination for medical travelers. SurgeryPlanet is the preferred Facilitator with the largest Hospital network of the best hospitals in India. The high quality of medical care, nursing, services and facilities offered by these hospitals are definitely at par or in some cases better than hospitals in the US or UK. This comes at a very low cost of almost 80% below US costs, which makes India a sought after destination. India is also one of the favorite tourist destinations in the world, with a wealth of ancient history, culture and exotic travel destinations.

Indian Government is promoting the "high-tech healing" of its private healthcare sector as a tourist attraction. The government hopes to actively encourage the growth of the medical tourism industry, offering special tax benefits and travel packages to foreign traveler to India for low-cost but world-class medical treatment. A complex Cardiac or orthopedic surgery would be more affordable in India compared to any developing country, US or UK. The process of healthcare tourism is jointly facilitated by the corporate sector involved in medical and healthcare as well as the tourism industry - both private and public.

Medical Tourism combined with Vacationing

Medical tourism has become a common form of vacationing, and covers a broad spectrum of medical services. Medical tourism mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with wellness and healthcare.

India, well known as a tourist's paradise offers a wide range of choices between exotic beaches, majestic and historic palaces, refreshing hill stations and more. With the new trend of medical tourism in India, now vacationers can enjoy a rejuvenating holiday and also avail world-class medical treatment of different sorts.

Exorbitant cost of healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries, ease and affordability of international travel, favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and high standards of medical care with low overhead and legal costs in the developing countries has all contributed to this rapid development of medical tourism.

India- Destination preferred for most medical Travelers

India and Thailand have evolved as one the most important hubs for medical tourism Globally. In 2008, India and Thailand provided medical care to the highest ever number of international medical travelers. Many patients from the developed countries come to India for the most advanced treatments like cardiac bypass surgeries, Orthopedic knee replacements and organ transplantation surgeries, also for the renowned and proven Ayurvedic holistic treatments. A nice blend of top-class medical expertise at unbelievably low prices is helping more and more Indian corporate hospitals to serve foreign patients, including patients from developed nations such as the UK and the US.

As more and more patients from Europe, USA and other affluent nations with high medical costs look for effective options, healthcare tourism in India is definitely on the cards for most of them and the fast growing Indian corporate health sector is fully geared to meet that need.Apart from cost savings and the high standard of medical care facility, the waiting time is much lower for any treatment in India than in any other country. Medical help is often an emergency and situations can turn worse if the treatment is delayed. While you might have to wait for several months to get a surgical operation done in the US, in India things can be arranged within a week. SurgeryPlanet helps facilitate these services to you while making sure you have a comfortable travel along with established medical institutes catering to your medical needs. For more information go to http://www.surgeryplanet.com