The LA Times aptly summarises the medical tourism scene ‘Countries such as India, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Malaysia and Singapore cater to well-heeled foreigners' The article highlights the medical cost savings of 30-80% which Americans enjoy if they get treated at the best hospitals in these countries.
In time to come, low cost treatment will not be the only factor in choosing a medical care destination. India will need to improve its basic public services and infrastructure ( clean public toilets, drinking water, inefficient airports, unsafe building designs, public transport).
What India needs to take note of is the fact that Singapore, though expensive, has its association with US hospitals, good physical infrastructure and better quality of urban life to attract the Americans. Singapore ranks 6th on WHO rankings for health care whereas India is 112. No wonder Josef Woodman is rooting for Singapore.
India has the best doctors and state of the art hospitals. But, does India have other basic infrastructure and delivery systems that help cities and people function?
Recent Comments