Tourism in India Medical
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Tourism in India
Tourism plays a vibrant role in the economic development of a country. It is the second largest foreign exchange earner in India. The tourism industry employs a large number of people, both skilled and unskilled. It promotes national integration and international brotherhood. India has fascinated people from all over the world with her secularism and her culture. There are historical monuments, beaches, places of religious interests, hill resorts, etc. that attract tourists. Every region is identified with its handicraft, fairs, folk dances, music and its people. The Departments of Tourism promotes international and domestic tourism in the country. The Tourism Advisory Board recommends measures for promotion of tourist traffic in India. Indian tourism is adversely affected by terrorism, tours and pollution. Sincere efforts could help to further develop the Indian tourism industry. In 2005 The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) stared a campaign called 'Incredible India' to encourage tourism in India. For a better growth, the department divided different places in different section like 'spiritual tourism,' 'spa tourism', 'ecotourism' and 'adventure tourism'. Things have now started looking bright for the Indian tourism.
Medical Tourism
Health is wealth! Without sound health we cannot achieve anything in our life, nor enjoy whatever we have. In service sector the concept of Medical Tourism, which is catching up at lightning speed across the world. The ultimate concept of medical tourism is a tour to surrounding destination, medical treatment and savings. People from advanced countries, including the United States and Europe, see a benefit in travelling to developing third world countries, like India, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, etc. While combining medical treatments with inexpensive vacation. The emergence of the medical tourism as a booming industry and the key management aspects that will help India establish as Health Care Destination. The total expenditure on health by the Centre and States together is only 1 present of GDP. We should raise it to 2-3 present in2012, and 25 present in 2020. The main demand for medical tourism is generated from millions of Indians who live abroad, though a growing number of foreigners are also keen on speedy and in expensive treatment. They are influenced by two important facts: India now has many world-class private hospitals and Indian doctors have experience in abundance. Owing to India¶s prodigious population, the strengths in health care sector is doctors treat twice the number of patients in comparison to doctors in the west, domestic aviation has been opened to the private sector, foreign investments are encouraged and a number of incentives are in place. India is considered as a safe destination compared to other countries Foreigners are visiting India for serious medical help as well as rejuvenation therapies and other specific purposes.
Definition of Medical Tourism
Medical Tourism may be defined as the ³provision of cost-effective medical care with due consideration toquality in collaboration with tourism industry for foreign patients who need specialized treatment and surgery´.
Historical Back Ground
Medical tourism is thousands of years old service sector. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing God, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Romed Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at bath ± a practice that continued for 2000 years . From the eighteenth century, wealthy Europeans travelled to Spas from Germany to the Nile. More than 5000 years ago, it was believed that souls return to the earth in a different form to right the wrongs of their past life in Hinduism. A three ± dimensional purification of the soul is necessary to discharge the sins of each birth ± in physical, mental and spiritual planes. Yoga, meditation, pleasant demeanour and physical cleansing ± all part of Ayurveda ± serve as a tools for purifying the soul, so future reincarnation will be necessary. In the 21st century, relatively low-cost jet travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate. Later, mostly wealthy people began travelling to tourist destinations like the Swiss lakes, the Alps and special tuberculosis sanatoriums, where professional and often specialized medical care was offered. In this century, however, medical tourism expanded to much larger scale. Thailand, followed by India, Puerto- Rico, Argentina, Cuba and others quickly became the most popular destinations for medical tourists. Complicated surgeries and dental works, kidney dialysis, organ transplantation and sex changes, topped the list of the most popular procedures. It was estimated that in 2002, six hundred medical tourists came to Bangkok and Phulket medical centers in Thailand, while approximately one hundred and fifty thousand foreign patients visited India during that time. .From Neolithic and Bronze age wherein people used to visit neighbouring countries for Minerals and Hot Springs, today we have reached the era where Hospitals are more like Spas and Spas more like hospitals. In this digital era, half a million people travel across the globe for health purposes. People from developed and affluent countries are moving out of their own countries to other destinations, seeking solitude, natural and holistic remedies and eco friendly experiences. Medical Tourism is one such new area that is ripe with potential.
Why Medical Tourism in India
Medical Tourism is poised to be the next Indian success story after Information Technology. According to recent study the industry¶s earning potential estimated at Rs.5000-10000 crores by2012. The main reason for India emerging as a referred destination is the inherent advantage of its health care industry. India offers a variety of services for overseas patients. Generation of foreign exchange, creation of income, generation of employment, contribution to state revenue and its associated regional development can be cited as the major economic benefits of tourism. The demand for Indian health care services primarily comes from three types of consumers y Non-Residential Indians y Patients from countries with underdeveloped facilities y Patients from developed countries. Though tourism is not the primary need of these consumers, it offers additional attraction particularly for people travelling for cosmetic surgery and less Famous Hospitals in India India provides top-class healthcare facilities at considerably low cost as compared to the cost of other developed countries. There is not much of a difference in the technology and skills of practitioner of India, which makes it further more competent. Some of the famous hospitals, which are renowned for their specialist services in India, are as under: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. AIIMS Apollo Hospital Tata Memorial Hospital B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre Christian Medical College Indraprastha Medical Corporation Institute Cardiovascular Diseases
Medical Tourism In India
India¶s health care sector is on the road to global fame. India is the seat of spiritualism. It is the confluence of different religions: Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam and Jainism etc. Medical tourism in India is promoted as hightech healing destinations, which provide world-class treatment at low cost, incorporating the Indian Systems of Medicine. India offers world-class treatments and a leisure holiday at excellent locations at almost 50 percent less than the total sum the foreign patients would spent on treatment in their own country. Foreigners are attracted to Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) and tourism. The Indian Systems of Medicine include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy together characterized under the department of AYUSH in the union health and family welfare ministry. During the ninth plan, with an expenditure of more than Rs.1,000 crore, a quantum jump in outlays on schemes for development and promotion of AYUSH system of medicine has been achieved during Tenth Plan. Indians are known for their hospitality and warmth.India has an incomparibly rich heritage in ancient systems of medicine that make up a veritable treasure house of knowledge for both preventive and curative health care. Around 1000 BC when Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) were fully documented in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Thus, ISM is considered to be one of the oldest organized systems of medicine for positive health and cure of human sickness. The most important and massive ancient compilation of the school of medicine is known as Charaka Samhita. It contains several chapters dealing at length with internal medicine. About six hundred drugs of plant, animal and mineral origin are described in it. So far so good. But traditional medicine was ignored when western medical knowledge and procedures were introduced into the country. Due to liberalisation of our economy and internalization of health care profession, India has entered the industry in only recent times. India¶s corporate hospitals are fully equipped with up market and efficiency. With their toll free lines, interactive websites, online quotes and time bound treatment access, they appear to be a world apart from the over burden, often badly managed and poorly funded public health system. Many opt to undergo surgery in India for reasons that range from long waiting times in Canada and U.K, high costs and lack of insurance cover in the U.S.A to plain lack of expertise in many Asian, African and West Asian countries. Most patients are coming from poorer countries like Bangladesh, Iran and Pakistan where treatment may not be available. According to study conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Mc Kinsey consultants, reported that 1,50,000 foreigners visited India for treatment, with the number rising by 15 present a year. The recent operations of children from Pakistan, who have sought medical treatment in Bangalore, have helped not only in boosting the state economy but more importantly fostering goodwill, peace and harmony with neighbouring countries like Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Ceylon etc. The Indian Systems of Medicine were given importance in southern India. The states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and other states in India play a key role in medical tourism
SLEPT analysis and social factors In order to be able to understand its customers' requirements and respond to other changes, it is important for a company to analyse its environment. A SLEPT analysisis a tool that helps to analyse the environment. To create a SLEPT analysis the company needs to examine the key environmental factors that affect its business. Having carried out the analysis it must then take action to respond to the important changes that have been identified. Of course, some of the factors in the SLEPT analysis can be placed under more than one of these headings. Ethics guide companies in reacting to changes in the environment. Managers can use a number of different tools to understand the environment. This understanding is important. It helps managers to make better decisions.
SLEPT analysis is one of these tools and which looks at changes in five areas:
Social
- trends in society
Legal - legal restrictions and considerations Economic - the health of the economy, inflation, etc Political - government policy
Technological - developments in computing, etc.
Social factors
Social factors include the cultural aspects and include health consciousness, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes and emphasis on safety. Trends in social factors affect the demand for a company's products and how that company operates. For example, an aging population may imply a smaller and lesswilling workforce (thus increasing the cost of labor). Furthermore, companies may change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends (such as recruiting older workers)
Legal factors
Legal factors include discrimination law, consumer law, antitrust law, employment law, and health and safety law. These factors can affect how a company operates, its costs, and the demand for its products.
Economic factors
Economic factors include economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates and the inflation rate. These factors have major impacts on how businesses operate and make decisions. For example, interest rates affect a firm's cost of capital and therefore to what extent a business grows and expands. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods in an economy
Political factors
Political factors are how and to what degree a government intervenes in the economy. Specifically, political factors include areas such as tax policy, labour law, environmental law, trade restrictions, tariffs, and political stability. Political factors may also include goods and services which the government wants to provide or be provided (merit goods) and those that the government does not want to be provided (demerit goods or merit bads). Furthermore, governments have great influence on the health, education, and infrastructure of a nation
Technological factors
Technological factors include technological aspects such as R&D activity, automation, technology incentives and the rate of technological change. They can determine barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence outsourcing decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts can affect costs, quality, and lead to innovation.
Challenges before Indian medial tourism 1. No strong government support or initiative to promote medical tourism. 2. Poor coordination between the various players in the industry- hospitals, air line Operators, and hotels. 3. Customer perception as an unhygienic country. 4. Lack of proper regulatory system for hospitals. 5. Lack of uniform pricing policies across hospitals. 6. Strong competition from countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. 7. Lack of international accreditation. 8. Overseas medical care not covered by many insurance players. 9. Under-investment in health infrastructure. Conclusion There is an opportunity in medical tourism because Indian healthcare institutions in a position to offer quality medical services at one-tenth the cost compared to that in many countries in the west. With regard to quality of the service, we stand shoulderto-shoulder with the best hospitals in the us. For medical tourists coming from abroad there is value proposition in terms of costs and quality. Moreover, India as unique as it offers holistic medicinal services with yoga, meditation, ayurveda, allopathy and other medical facilities; we offer a unique basket of services to an individual that will be difficult to match in other countries. For Indian healthcare institutions, the quality of service is over biggest Usp, followed by the cost advantage. The biggest challenge is to position India as a favorable healthcare destination by setting high health standards for ourselves, and work in association with the government and the medical council to see to it that all hospitals keep up to those standards. Now, the Indian healthcare federation is working along with different industry chambers to promote medical tourism in the country. The $40 billion opportunity is there for all. However, Indian healthcare institutions and Indian will lose out if we do no cat over the next 2 years. Competition is building up fast from countries like Thailand, Singapore and Australia. The road map ahead is simple, we have to act smart here, and first, we have to create more information outlets in various markets. Second, Indian healthcare industry should work more closely with the industry chambers and various government departments to spread the awareness and remove hurdles. Finally, we have to work towards getting accreditation for various hospitals to build up perception of quality among foreign tourists.
Tourism plays a vibrant role in the economic development of a country. It is the second largest foreign exchange earner in India. The tourism industry employs a large number of people, both skilled and unskilled. It promotes national integration and international brotherhood. India has fascinated people from all over the world with her secularism and her culture. There are historical monuments, beaches, places of religious interests, hill resorts, etc. that attract tourists. Every region is identified with its handicraft, fairs, folk dances, music and its people. The Departments of Tourism promotes international and domestic tourism in the country. The Tourism Advisory Board recommends measures for promotion of tourist traffic in India. Indian tourism is adversely affected by terrorism, tours and pollution. Sincere efforts could help to further develop the Indian tourism industry. In 2005 The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) stared a campaign called 'Incredible India' to encourage tourism in India. For a better growth, the department divided different places in different section like 'spiritual tourism,' 'spa tourism', 'ecotourism' and 'adventure tourism'. Things have now started looking bright for the Indian tourism.
Medical Tourism
Health is wealth! Without sound health we cannot achieve anything in our life, nor enjoy whatever we have. In service sector the concept of Medical Tourism, which is catching up at lightning speed across the world. The ultimate concept of medical tourism is a tour to surrounding destination, medical treatment and savings. People from advanced countries, including the United States and Europe, see a benefit in travelling to developing third world countries, like India, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, etc. While combining medical treatments with inexpensive vacation. The emergence of the medical tourism as a booming industry and the key management aspects that will help India establish as Health Care Destination. The total expenditure on health by the Centre and States together is only 1 present of GDP. We should raise it to 2-3 present in2012, and 25 present in 2020. The main demand for medical tourism is generated from millions of Indians who live abroad, though a growing number of foreigners are also keen on speedy and in expensive treatment. They are influenced by two important facts: India now has many world-class private hospitals and Indian doctors have experience in abundance. Owing to India¶s prodigious population, the strengths in health care sector is doctors treat twice the number of patients in comparison to doctors in the west, domestic aviation has been opened to the private sector, foreign investments are encouraged and a number of incentives are in place. India is considered as a safe destination compared to other countries Foreigners are visiting India for serious medical help as well as rejuvenation therapies and other specific purposes.
Definition of Medical Tourism
Medical Tourism may be defined as the ³provision of cost-effective medical care with due consideration toquality in collaboration with tourism industry for foreign patients who need specialized treatment and surgery´.
Historical Back Ground
Medical tourism is thousands of years old service sector. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing God, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Romed Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at bath ± a practice that continued for 2000 years . From the eighteenth century, wealthy Europeans travelled to Spas from Germany to the Nile. More than 5000 years ago, it was believed that souls return to the earth in a different form to right the wrongs of their past life in Hinduism. A three ± dimensional purification of the soul is necessary to discharge the sins of each birth ± in physical, mental and spiritual planes. Yoga, meditation, pleasant demeanour and physical cleansing ± all part of Ayurveda ± serve as a tools for purifying the soul, so future reincarnation will be necessary. In the 21st century, relatively low-cost jet travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate. Later, mostly wealthy people began travelling to tourist destinations like the Swiss lakes, the Alps and special tuberculosis sanatoriums, where professional and often specialized medical care was offered. In this century, however, medical tourism expanded to much larger scale. Thailand, followed by India, Puerto- Rico, Argentina, Cuba and others quickly became the most popular destinations for medical tourists. Complicated surgeries and dental works, kidney dialysis, organ transplantation and sex changes, topped the list of the most popular procedures. It was estimated that in 2002, six hundred medical tourists came to Bangkok and Phulket medical centers in Thailand, while approximately one hundred and fifty thousand foreign patients visited India during that time. .From Neolithic and Bronze age wherein people used to visit neighbouring countries for Minerals and Hot Springs, today we have reached the era where Hospitals are more like Spas and Spas more like hospitals. In this digital era, half a million people travel across the globe for health purposes. People from developed and affluent countries are moving out of their own countries to other destinations, seeking solitude, natural and holistic remedies and eco friendly experiences. Medical Tourism is one such new area that is ripe with potential.
Why Medical Tourism in India
Medical Tourism is poised to be the next Indian success story after Information Technology. According to recent study the industry¶s earning potential estimated at Rs.5000-10000 crores by2012. The main reason for India emerging as a referred destination is the inherent advantage of its health care industry. India offers a variety of services for overseas patients. Generation of foreign exchange, creation of income, generation of employment, contribution to state revenue and its associated regional development can be cited as the major economic benefits of tourism. The demand for Indian health care services primarily comes from three types of consumers y Non-Residential Indians y Patients from countries with underdeveloped facilities y Patients from developed countries. Though tourism is not the primary need of these consumers, it offers additional attraction particularly for people travelling for cosmetic surgery and less Famous Hospitals in India India provides top-class healthcare facilities at considerably low cost as compared to the cost of other developed countries. There is not much of a difference in the technology and skills of practitioner of India, which makes it further more competent. Some of the famous hospitals, which are renowned for their specialist services in India, are as under: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. AIIMS Apollo Hospital Tata Memorial Hospital B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre Christian Medical College Indraprastha Medical Corporation Institute Cardiovascular Diseases
Medical Tourism In India
India¶s health care sector is on the road to global fame. India is the seat of spiritualism. It is the confluence of different religions: Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam and Jainism etc. Medical tourism in India is promoted as hightech healing destinations, which provide world-class treatment at low cost, incorporating the Indian Systems of Medicine. India offers world-class treatments and a leisure holiday at excellent locations at almost 50 percent less than the total sum the foreign patients would spent on treatment in their own country. Foreigners are attracted to Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) and tourism. The Indian Systems of Medicine include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy together characterized under the department of AYUSH in the union health and family welfare ministry. During the ninth plan, with an expenditure of more than Rs.1,000 crore, a quantum jump in outlays on schemes for development and promotion of AYUSH system of medicine has been achieved during Tenth Plan. Indians are known for their hospitality and warmth.India has an incomparibly rich heritage in ancient systems of medicine that make up a veritable treasure house of knowledge for both preventive and curative health care. Around 1000 BC when Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) were fully documented in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Thus, ISM is considered to be one of the oldest organized systems of medicine for positive health and cure of human sickness. The most important and massive ancient compilation of the school of medicine is known as Charaka Samhita. It contains several chapters dealing at length with internal medicine. About six hundred drugs of plant, animal and mineral origin are described in it. So far so good. But traditional medicine was ignored when western medical knowledge and procedures were introduced into the country. Due to liberalisation of our economy and internalization of health care profession, India has entered the industry in only recent times. India¶s corporate hospitals are fully equipped with up market and efficiency. With their toll free lines, interactive websites, online quotes and time bound treatment access, they appear to be a world apart from the over burden, often badly managed and poorly funded public health system. Many opt to undergo surgery in India for reasons that range from long waiting times in Canada and U.K, high costs and lack of insurance cover in the U.S.A to plain lack of expertise in many Asian, African and West Asian countries. Most patients are coming from poorer countries like Bangladesh, Iran and Pakistan where treatment may not be available. According to study conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Mc Kinsey consultants, reported that 1,50,000 foreigners visited India for treatment, with the number rising by 15 present a year. The recent operations of children from Pakistan, who have sought medical treatment in Bangalore, have helped not only in boosting the state economy but more importantly fostering goodwill, peace and harmony with neighbouring countries like Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Ceylon etc. The Indian Systems of Medicine were given importance in southern India. The states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and other states in India play a key role in medical tourism
SLEPT analysis and social factors In order to be able to understand its customers' requirements and respond to other changes, it is important for a company to analyse its environment. A SLEPT analysisis a tool that helps to analyse the environment. To create a SLEPT analysis the company needs to examine the key environmental factors that affect its business. Having carried out the analysis it must then take action to respond to the important changes that have been identified. Of course, some of the factors in the SLEPT analysis can be placed under more than one of these headings. Ethics guide companies in reacting to changes in the environment. Managers can use a number of different tools to understand the environment. This understanding is important. It helps managers to make better decisions.
SLEPT analysis is one of these tools and which looks at changes in five areas:
Social
- trends in society
Legal - legal restrictions and considerations Economic - the health of the economy, inflation, etc Political - government policy
Technological - developments in computing, etc.
Social factors
Social factors include the cultural aspects and include health consciousness, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes and emphasis on safety. Trends in social factors affect the demand for a company's products and how that company operates. For example, an aging population may imply a smaller and lesswilling workforce (thus increasing the cost of labor). Furthermore, companies may change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends (such as recruiting older workers)
Legal factors
Legal factors include discrimination law, consumer law, antitrust law, employment law, and health and safety law. These factors can affect how a company operates, its costs, and the demand for its products.
Economic factors
Economic factors include economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates and the inflation rate. These factors have major impacts on how businesses operate and make decisions. For example, interest rates affect a firm's cost of capital and therefore to what extent a business grows and expands. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods in an economy
Political factors
Political factors are how and to what degree a government intervenes in the economy. Specifically, political factors include areas such as tax policy, labour law, environmental law, trade restrictions, tariffs, and political stability. Political factors may also include goods and services which the government wants to provide or be provided (merit goods) and those that the government does not want to be provided (demerit goods or merit bads). Furthermore, governments have great influence on the health, education, and infrastructure of a nation
Technological factors
Technological factors include technological aspects such as R&D activity, automation, technology incentives and the rate of technological change. They can determine barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence outsourcing decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts can affect costs, quality, and lead to innovation.
Challenges before Indian medial tourism 1. No strong government support or initiative to promote medical tourism. 2. Poor coordination between the various players in the industry- hospitals, air line Operators, and hotels. 3. Customer perception as an unhygienic country. 4. Lack of proper regulatory system for hospitals. 5. Lack of uniform pricing policies across hospitals. 6. Strong competition from countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. 7. Lack of international accreditation. 8. Overseas medical care not covered by many insurance players. 9. Under-investment in health infrastructure. Conclusion There is an opportunity in medical tourism because Indian healthcare institutions in a position to offer quality medical services at one-tenth the cost compared to that in many countries in the west. With regard to quality of the service, we stand shoulderto-shoulder with the best hospitals in the us. For medical tourists coming from abroad there is value proposition in terms of costs and quality. Moreover, India as unique as it offers holistic medicinal services with yoga, meditation, ayurveda, allopathy and other medical facilities; we offer a unique basket of services to an individual that will be difficult to match in other countries. For Indian healthcare institutions, the quality of service is over biggest Usp, followed by the cost advantage. The biggest challenge is to position India as a favorable healthcare destination by setting high health standards for ourselves, and work in association with the government and the medical council to see to it that all hospitals keep up to those standards. Now, the Indian healthcare federation is working along with different industry chambers to promote medical tourism in the country. The $40 billion opportunity is there for all. However, Indian healthcare institutions and Indian will lose out if we do no cat over the next 2 years. Competition is building up fast from countries like Thailand, Singapore and Australia. The road map ahead is simple, we have to act smart here, and first, we have to create more information outlets in various markets. Second, Indian healthcare industry should work more closely with the industry chambers and various government departments to spread the awareness and remove hurdles. Finally, we have to work towards getting accreditation for various hospitals to build up perception of quality among foreign tourists.
