With small nations like Singapore and Thailand grabbing major share of global medical and wellness tourism, the Government on Wednesday announced a slew of steps to look into issues of regulatory, accreditation and marketing so as to position India on the top list of tourist destinations in the segment.
In this regard, three sub-committees will be set up soon to tap the country’s strengths such as low-cost medical facilities and best human resources and also correct measures that were proving hindrance to the medical and wellness tourism which is growing at a rapid pace.
The announcement was made after the first meeting of National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board headed by Tourism Minister Mahesh Verma here.
The Ministry also emphasised on the role of Government as a facilitator and highlighted the need for the private sector to continue to lead the medical and wellness tourism sector.
“The Board will function in an effective, responsible and time bound manner to find solutions for immediate concerns in the efforts of health and tourism sector,” said a senior official from the Ministry.
“The Board also plans to build up a data bank of available resources in the field of medical and wellness services in the country and to develop mechanism to disseminate such information to the source markets,” it said.
The Ministry observed that the health care delivery system in the country has improved due to which several countries now look East.
“It was reiterated by the Board members that more accredited hospitals, easy visa regime and providing linkages between service providers and the end user is the need of the hour,” the Ministry noted.
“It also agreed on integrating the services under Ayurveda, Yoga and other systems. The Government needs to address the issue of sensitization of service providers, particularly in the field of Wellness and Ayurveda,” the release said.
The Board members maintained that with an increase in the healthcare cost in developed countries, cost consciousness among patients seeking treatment and availability of accredited facilities has given rise to many global medical tourism corridors.
Among the 25-board members are Baba Ramdev, renowned cardiologists Naresh Trehan, KK Aggarwal and Devi Shetty, Sangita Reddy of Apollo Hospitals, Rajit Mehta of Max Super Specialty Hospital in Delhi, and HR Nagendra of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana.