Kerala to Emerge as a Medical Tourism Destination Post COVID-19

KOCHI:

CII is organizing the 9 th Edition of Kerala Health Tourism programme – a Conference and Exhibition on Healthcare, Medical Value Travel, Medical Devices, Medical Tourism and Exhibition virtually from 9 th October to 7 th November 2020.

In the Inaugural Session of the conference held today, Thomas John Muthoot, Chairman CII Kerala, Chairman & Managing Director, MuthootFincorp stressed on the importance and value of promoting the Medical value tourism in the State. The hospital industry in India, accounting for 80% of the total healthcare market, is witnessing a huge investor demand from both global as well as domestic investors.

According to Invest India report the hospital industry is expected to reach $132 bn by 2023 from $ 61.8 bn in 2017; growing at a CAGR of 16-17%. Medical Tourism facet of Kerala’s tourism industry is proliferating at a faster paceand has become an excellent brand by itself in the health tourism sector. This is because of its repute in modern as well as traditional systems of treatment like Ayurveda, homoeopathy or its cost-effectiveness. The quality of health care offered by the doctors, nurses and support staff, make medical tourism in Kerala a preferred choice of patients seeking healthcare solutions in India.

K.K. Shailaja, Minister for Health and Social Justice, Government of Kerala. Minister during her opening remarks referred that Kerala is the safest place during the COVID times with only 0.36% mortality rate and hence the Medical Value Tourism / has a huge scope in Kerala. She observed that the demographic features of Kerala can attract more foreign tourist to Kerala. Moreover, the expertise of Kerala In indigenous medicine can play a vital role in attracting tourist. The Government has laid foundation for the State-of-the-art Centre for Ayurveda International Research Institute with a Museum and Research lab in the centre. She also suggested more Ayurveda Medicine Production centres should be developed with modern standards and quality and focus of import of Ayurvedic medicines. More quality and affordable treatments should be made available. The common people should also benefit from tourism. “ said Minister Shailaja.

Dr Vishwas Mehta, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala in his address shared that Kerala’s Unique wellness campaigns had strengthened the tourism. It is also understood that only 10 percent of the international tourist travelling to India visit to Kerala. It was also observed that the longest stay by the tourist travelling to India was in Kerala. One of the reasons could be Health Tourism, leisure, and recreation, etc. In Health tourism the no of days of stay is more and this is an advantage and can be used to promote leisure tourism of the state. He mentioned that Government will support in promotions and giving incentives to tourism industry that would bring revenue to the state and more employment generation in this sector.

Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing director, Aster DM Healthcare stated that though Kerala is considered a Medical value travel capital majority of the travellers choose metro cities and Northern states for medical treatments. He suggested that Kerala should focus and attract Tourists for Illness Tourism in India.  He observed that Kerala has many NABH Hospitals and excellent healthcare professionals and has an excellent opportunity to promote Kerala as an healthcare destination.

Compared to other states in India like Karnataka, Kerala is cost-effective and treatment charges are less especially for surgeries like Knee Replacement, Coronal Artery diseases etc. We must utilise this and attract more patients to Kerala. Telemedicine consultation is now popular after COVID .Telemedicine can be utilised to monitor patients after treatment and this has to be utilized to medical tourist.Post COVID wellness related programmes must be focussed more.

Dr M I Sahadulla,Covenor, CII Healthcare Panel & CMD,KIMSHEALTH mentioned that that 13-15 % growth is expected in this sector and highlighted that3-4 employment is created with one Medical value traveler. The conference witnessed participation of delegates from42 countries from the field of health-oriented tourism ranging from preventive and health-conductive treatment to rehabilitation and curative forms of travel.

Other prominent speakers during the session were Mr Sreenath Vishnu, Vice Chairman,CII Kerala State Council & Executive Director,Brahmins Foods India Pvt Ltd. The conference also witnessed an Panel discussion on “Opportunity for Medical Value Travel in God’s Own Country, Kerala – The Sunrise Destination” with eminent speakers like Dr Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster DM Healthcare; Dr Vineeth Abraham, Director Baby Memorial Hospital,; Hari N Namboothiri, Vice Chairman SreedharayamAyuvedic Eye Hospital & Research Centre; SonalPahwa, Director, International Business, Orioles Health; Dr Mohammed Bawazier, Director, Magnus Best Healthcare Services and moderated by Abhik Moitra, Founder & Director, Shinon HBG Medical Assistance.

As part of the summit a virtual expo has been organised with key players from Healthcare, Medical Devices and Personal Protective Equipment’s. The expo will be open for one month till 7 th November 2020.