In an exclusive interview, Zahabiya Khorakiwala, MD, Wockhardt Hospitals, elucidates the steps needed to take India’s medical tourism potential beyond borders, to Steena Joy
What is your perception of India’s potential as a medical tourism destination?
The last one decade has seen unprecedented growth in the Indian medical tourism industry which was approximately $1.9 billion in 2011 and is expected to grow at CAGR of 27-28 per cent. In 2014 it is expected to reach approximately $4 billion. India, with its excellent infrastructure facilities and global equivalent in-house medical talent, is well placed to attract medical travellers. We need to note that the Indian medical travel industry gets travellers mostly from developing/ underdeveloped countries. According to a recent ministry report, the US and UK which send the highest number of travellers (all types) to India account for only three per cent of medical travellers.
In the last two years, Wockhardt has outpaced industry growth percentage by far and we remain bullish towards growth in this sector. We are strengthening our relationships with institutions like Partners Medical International to continuously match best global benchmarks in healthcare service delivery. Countries are recognising that medical travel to India is not only economical but also with quality benchmarked to the best in the world.
We are also developing programmes to enable local capacity building for other countries which will enable them to develop their own medical care infrastructure. There is a belief that such steps may have an adverse impact however we believe that this not only helps in strengthening the relationship between two countries but also helps us in establishing ourselves as centres of excellence in our chosen field of medical care. Such steps when supported and promoted by governments will ensure achievement of anticipated growth.
How has the M-visa facilitated medical tourism into the country?
The introduction of Medical Visa (M-visa) has been a great boon but the process needs to be simplified. Currently the patients are supposed to physically visit the embassy and present a lot of paperwork to get the visa sanctioned. The facility is a good step however the legal framework needs to evolve. We hope the recently launched E-visa facility is extended to more countries with special consideration to medical tourists. It’s a good step in the right direction.
Which treatments are the most popular in medical tourism?
For medical travel in India we see major flow in the fields of super-specialities like oncology (cancer), orthopaedics (joint replacements), spine treatments and fertility treatments. Paediatric cardiac is another area which generates interest especially in the underdeveloped/ developing geographies.
What facilities does Wockhardt offer to a medical tourist?
Wockhardt offers ‘flight to flight’ services to a medical tourist. That is the patient and attendants are taken care from the point of arrival at the airport to the point of departure from the airport. While clinical services are taken care of, the attendants too are serviced and their comfort is also looked into.
How does India compare to her Asian neighbours in terms of
- Costs: We saw growth in the last decade in this sector and the prime reason for the same was the economical treatment available in India. While costs remain an important aspect in decision making we have seen that the quality of care is becoming more important for the patient. Our Asian neighbours compete with us mostly not on price but perception of quality offered.
The growth the sector has witnessed has attracted many new service providers with primary focus on cost. It is time that it is recognised as an industry and the government should ensure certain forum/ legislative control to ensure that quality becomes the focus for healthcare providers in India. This is necessary to ensure long – term mutually beneficial relationships and curb only price based competition. Focus on quality will also open new geographies. - Post operative care: It is good. But while the post-operative care in clinical terms is taken care of, the non clinical facilities are a major concern. Patients need affordable and secure tourist friendly places to make their stay comfortable.
- Infrastructure: Clinical infrastructure is excellent and we are comparable with the best service providers in the world. Sadly, it is the public infrastructure in India – the roads, public transport, cleanliness, etc, on which we rate below our competitors like Singapore and Malaysia. It is to be noted that it is this infrastructure which creates a general perception about India.
How can the government build India’s image as a safe and curative medical tourism hub?
- The government has to take the initiative in terms of communicating the quality care offered in India. For example: Organising international medical/clinical conferences to discuss medical challenges, tie-ups with foreign universities, etc.
- Recognition of mutual medical qualifications between any two countries. This will enable our doctors to share their learning with doctors in other countries and establish confidence among the medical fraternity. It will also help in organising more engaging training programmes for the local doctors in India leading to capacity building in the country.
- Health laws – India is largely unregulated with regard to medical practice. Laws ensuring safety and evidence based medical practice will help India convey quality focus.
- Publicity of Indian quality norms and Indian accreditations (NABH, NABL) in other countries.
- Expanding scope of such institutions outside India (like JCI, UK) helps establishing credibility. Expanding the scope of institutions like NABH will help in establishing the quality focus of Indian healthcare.
What more needs to be done by the government/ public/private sector to tap India’s potential in medical tourism? What are your expectations from the Modi government in terms of medical tourism?
Our wishlist includes:
- Easing visa norms – Recent launch of E-visa should definitely help in promoting tourism.
- Simplifying regulations like the ones required for transplants. At some places a patient has to wait months before approval is given. While curbing malpractices is essential, the legal framework acts as a deterrent.
- Government support in terms of establishing meaningful relationships with foreign governments.
- Connectivity of our major medical hubs with foreign countries. Currently direct flights are available mostly with metros and a direct correlation can be seen with respect to the development of the medical travel industry in India. Air connectivity is the biggest decision making parameter as was revealed in the primary survey done recently on medical travellers.
- While India has huge potential in terms of services it can offer to world markets, the country’s highly fragmented and individual private hospitals work on their individual strategies. The government can set up a council and give direction at the macro level to regulate and facilitate business growth.
Any other issue you would like to comment upon?
There is a need for development of medical hubs at tourist preferred locations. For example Goa – a state which attracts the highest number of tourists in India (especially from developed countries) does not have any policy in this regard. The Government of India alongwith the state governments should highlight the sector and develop such hubs.
Also, the growth of this industry has invariably led to malpractices. We support stringent laws to ensure that the rights of medical tourists as patients and as foreign citizens are protected and patient safety is ensured. A dedicated grievance redressal cell for such travellers with representation from all recognised institutions will help unite the industry and promote the Indian offering in world geographies.
It is also to be noted that medical travel industry is not just about work towards treatment service but it also gives strength to the bilateral relationships between countries. The cultural exchange and the business opportunities which follow once the citizen is exposed to services/products in India are immense.
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