New Agreement to Make Affordable Healthcare Available in India

Indo-Saudi MoU to Focus on Healthcare and Medical Tourism Package Deals

India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate greater cooperation in the healthcare segment.  This move will pave the way for bilateral collaboration in the broader area of hospital management, as well as in niche areas like healthcare services for the elderly in the Middle East.  Not only will this agreement make it easier for those who wish to avail of medical tourism package in India, but it will also help improve the quality of Saudi hospitals through the large scale recruitment of doctors and direct imports of pharmaceuticals. 

Frequent Visitors to India for Affordable Healthcare   

This memorandum is, by no means, a baby step in bilateral cooperation between the India and Saudi Arabia. For several years now, the two countries have been cooperating on healthcare issues that affect them both.  Saudi sheiks have always been attracted to the kind of quality medical tourism package deals that are available in India, and they are not averse to making the long trip for affordable healthcare procedures.  On the other hand, Indian doctors form a large part of the Kingdom’s healthcare staff, and they can be found in the remotest Bedouin villages.   

Emphasis on Pharmaceuticals and Affordable Healthcare Packages

Saudi Health Minister Hamad A. Al Mane indicated that the agreement will facilitate the direct import of world class Indian pharmaceuticals, which would be more cost effective for the Kingdom.  He also pronounced his country’s desire for greater support in the form of telemedicine, increased doctor training programs, and better healthcare services for the elderly in the Middle East.  Like most countries in the region, the Kingdom grapples with the issue of increased longevity which means a greater number of people with specialized health needs.  It is hoped that this MoU will be able to bring about enhanced geriatric medicine training and applications, thus leading to improved healthcare services for the elderly in the Middle East.