The number of medical tourists in India is likely to reach 3.2 million by 2015 from the current 850,000 if it continues to grow at the current compounded annual growth rate of 40%, suggests a report by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) - 'Emerging Trends in Domestic Medical Tourism Sector’ 

DS Rawat of ASSOCHAM says, "Top-notch healthcare facilities in sectors like cardiology, joint replacement, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, transplants and urology, at low prices are certain key factors making India a favoured destination for medical tourism. High quality medical care at a fraction of a price people would traditionally pay in developed countries is the basic reason behind this surge in number of patients flocking to India for treatment. Apart from yoga, ayurveda is increasingly gaining popularity as a non-surgical treatment for various ailments among foreign patients. High costs of medical treatments in other countries have compelled patients to look for alternative, cost-effective destinations.” 

The report says that the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal and New Delhi are emerging as India’s key medical destinations as they all have many hospitals and clinics targeting medical tourists. The main source countries for medical tourists are the Middle East followed by the USA, Europe and people from neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It warns that the country is facing tough competition from Australia, Belgium, Cuba, Costa Rica, Hungary, Greece, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand, which are actively promoting healthcare tourism worldwide.

ASSOCHAM has also proposed setting up 10  ‘health cities' in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, New Delhi, Pudducherry and Pune – based on the public-private-partnership model. DS Rawat says, “This will not only help India secure a bigger share of the market but will also encourage reverse brain drain by attracting non-resident Indian doctors and experts settled abroad.” 

Reference:http://www.imtj.com/news/?entryid82=304421