One of the key areas of focus of the 12th Five Year Plan would be the development of basic infrastructure to facilitate the growth of health tourism in Kerala, the State Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy has said.
Addressing the 2-day International Conference and Exhibition on Health Tourism organized by the CII, the Chief Minister said that Kerala has immense potential which has yet to be tapped in the health tourism sector, given its reputation in modern as well as traditional systems of treatment and their cost effectiveness. He assured that his Government would support all endeavours in this direction. Mr Chandy also urged the healthcare tourism sector to focus on those living in the Middle East and who are now “looking east” for their health and leisure needs.
Roads
Referring to the queries on the sad state of roads and public spaces, the Chief Minister said that he was aware of the situation and the Government has initiated steps to resolve the issue.
The CII Conference and exhibition was inaugurated by Mr Reginald Cooray, the Minister of Minor Export Crop Promotion, Government of Sri Lanka. He said Kerala has become an excellent brand by itself in the health tourism sector either because of its reputation in modern as well as other systems of treatment such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation, Homoeopathy etc or due to its cost effectiveness.
He invited the CII to participate in Sri Lanka Expo-2012 to be held next March .
Dr Philip Augustine, Chairman of the conference and Director and CEO Lakeshore Hospital, pointed out that the medical tourism industry in Kerala is expected to be worth $ 4 billion by 2017. He made a special mention of the Ayurveda sector, which pioneered the whole concept of health tourism in Kerala.
Modern medicine
Kerala is also witnessing a surge in dental and modern medicine in the health tourism sector as the cost factor advantage — which is around six to ten times less than anywhere else globally — is very attractive. He urged the Government to play an important role in facilitating easy approval of medical visas and creating awareness in this context.
Mr Umang Patodia, former Chairman of CII, highlighted the preparedness of Indian hospitals to meet the global demands in health tourism with its resources and infrastructure. The tourism department should join as a catalyzing partner, he said.
The event has brought major hospitals, health insurance companies, policy makers, tourism promotion boards, hotels and resorts, health, travel and tour operators and international institutions for promotion of health tourism under one roof.
During the two-day conference, delegates from Kerala and various parts of the globe discussed emerging trends, opportunities and challenges in the Indian health tourism sector and the preparedness of Indian hospitals and medical sector to meet global requirements.