Opportunities in Health Tourism Learnings from International Experience

1. Opportunities in Health TourismLearnings from International Experience By B K Ong General Manager (India), Singapore Airlines

2. An overview • Medical Tourism- Patients going to a different country for either urgent or elective medical procedures • WHO defines it as • Medical care • Sickness & well-being • Rehabilitation & recuperation • Is fast becoming a worldwide, billion dollar industry • Low cost travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate This is not a recent phenomenon, people have been traveling to far off lands to improve their health for centuries

3. Countries promoting Medical Tourism Example-South Africa specializes in medical safaris-visit the country for a safari, with a stopover for plastic surgery, a nose job and a chance to see lions and elephants

4. The Right Move- Singapore • SingaporeMedicine • A multi-agency government initiative involving Singapore Tourism Board, the Economic Development Board & International Enterprise Singapore • Aimed at developing Singapore into one of Asia’s leading destinations for healthcare • Positioning Singapore more than a center for the treatment of illness • Destination where visitors can select from wide range of services to enhance their health & well-being • Includes health screening, medical wellness, aesthetic & anti-ageing programmes

5. The Right Move- Singapore • SingaporeMedicine • Brought healthcare providers & travel agents together • To develop suitable healthcare cum travel packages

6. Another Example - Thailand • Thailand • Attracts maximum Americans & western expatriates across South East Asia • Bangkok, a center for medical tourism • Its International Medical Center offers services in 26 languages and recognizes cultural & religious dietary restrictions • The medical tour companies that serve Thailand often put emphasis on the vacation aspects • Offering post recovery resort stays • Is successful in tapping the health tourism market • Good infrastructure • Aggressive international marketing in conjunction with tourism authority

7. India-An Attractive Healthcare Destination • Government & private sector studies in India estimate that medical tourism could bring between 1-2 billion USD into the country by 2012 • Its unique offerings include • Cost benefits • Holistic medicinal services • Internationally qualified & experienced specialists • Language is another plus point- English widely spoken • No waiting lists

8. Indian Medical Tourism • The caveats • India is emerging as an attractive, affordable destination for healthcare BUT there are some constraints for e.g. • Infrastructure/facilities need to be improved • Staff in attendance need to be better trained to serve • Image of India needs to be enhanced • Overall service needs to be improved Much needs to be done

9. Indian Medical Tourism • Need of the hour • Uniform price band in major specialties to be made public • This would facilitate foreign patients seeking treatments in India • Accreditation of hospitals • Undertake international marketing campaign • Establish Indian healthcare as safe & trustworthy • Road shows, exhibitions in targeted countries • Streamline immigration process for medical visitors

10. Indian Medical Tourism • Need of the hour • Develop Joint Ventures with like minded companies for exchange of expertise & knowledge • Collaboration for training of hospital staff • Indian specialists as consultants abroad etc. • Development of high quality convalescing homes – good after care • Air capacity allowed to be increased • Patients should not wait for weeks to avail treatment

11. Thank you