TIPS FOR ESSENTIAL TAKING CARE OF INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS IN INDIA

Recently the media has reported that there is 300% rise in the number of Foreign Medical Traveler Arrivals (FMTAs) in India.

Even developed GCC like Oman has seen a 222% surge in the number of Medical Visas to India.

Hospitals and other healthcare establishments are also looking at this market enthusiastically. A number of corporates have also seen this as an opportunity and have started concierge services which are complimented with client acquisition activities for the partner hospitals. The fundamentals of product and services marketing in terms of product diversification, packaging, value additions, competitive pricing, using IT interface and digital media campaigns etc. are being applied in this field also.

However, the key to success lies in professionally managing the services for the end users and maintaining highest sense of safety and quality added with superior patient experience.

In India there are estimated 180 odd NABH accredited hospitals and a handful of JCI-accredited hospitals. Rest all follow their own protocols systems and mostly cut corners to improve bottom lines. Mid-size hospitals in large towns offer services at a competitive price with minimum investment on safety and hapless foreign patients are being taken for a ride by touts. Yet the business is booming and market is at its peak. What is that thing that attracts foreign customers to avail medical care in India? It is the cost benefit. The covertly subsidized medical services due to regulatory government policies have kept the operational costs very moderate, allowing the hospitals to give a cut throat competition to many other destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia etc.