Medical Tourism Scales New Heights in Kerala

Boom Time for Medical Tourism in Kerala

Kerala’s strengths in Ayurvedic medicine and modern medical technology combined with strong marketing skills has helped the medical tourism industry grow in leaps and bounds.  With over 100,000 tourists expected over the next three years, it is boom time for medical tourism in Kerala.  Foreigners are coming into Kerala for medical treatments ranging from cardiac surgery to dental treatments to cosmetic surgery to hip and knee replacements to wellness treatments.  A study by McKinsey and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) predicts that medical tourism in India will command a $2.3 billion turnover by 2012.  The Global Indian Tour Company (GITC) has launched a special medical tourism package under the brand name “Heavenly Healing” in association with the Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS).  The CII has also declared 2006-2007 as “Medical Tourism Year” in Kerala.  The Department of Tourism in Kerala in partnership with CII is organizing a show and international conference on medical tourism which will be attended by prominent medical tourismhospitals, medical insurance companies, and travel operators.         

Cosmetic Surgery: Liposuction Costs in Kerala

Cosmetic surgery is all the rage in today’s beauty driven world.  Given the kind of options available from hair implants to rhinoplasty to liposuction, the patient has a range of treatments to choose from.  Kerala, with its excellent medical infrastructure and specialist doctors, leads in the field of cosmetic surgery.  Liposuction tops the list for those traveling from the UK or US.  Quality of treatment is one driving force, but another major factor is the massive cost difference with liposuction costs in the US starting from $3,500 to $8,500 whereas in India, liposuction costs range from at $1,100 to $1,800. 

Medical Tourism’s Dental Offers

The ambience at the Kottayam Speciality Dental Clinic is enough to put one at ease and relieve one of the anxieties normally associated with dental visits.  But why would one ever consider flying to India for dental care?  Simple.  The cost of dental treatment in the USA is ten times higher than in India.            

• Dentist charge $300 to $400 for a dental filling in the USA and Europe.  In India the charge is $20 to $40.
• The cost of a root canal treatment is $3,000 in the USA whereas in India it costs $200.
• Dental fillings cost $1,000 in the USA and in India it costs $200 only.

The Indian Healthcare Federation is working with the CII to develop a certification and accreditation system for hospitals in Kerala.  This certification is necessary for international insurance companies.   It also helps to boost patient confidence in India’s health care system. The Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences is the first NABH accredited hospital in Kerala.