Medical Tourism in Goa- the need of the hour

The term ‘Medical Tourism’ may be defined as the process of travelling outside the country of residence for the purpose of receiving medical care. Originally, the term referred to the travel of patients from less-developed countries to developed nations in pursuit of the treatments not available in their homeland. However the trend is now reversed with many people from developed countries coming to countries like India for medical treatment.

Medical tourism was expected to be a big business in Goa in the later 90’s and early 2000. Yet other than the British and Scandinavian tourists, who would come for dental treatments, medical tourism never really took off in Goa. I recall in the year 2002 when I was in Perth, I had the misfortune of having a root canal problem. Imagine my plight when the dentist told me it would cost 900 dollars. That figure would easily pay my return fare to India at that time. Putting clove oil, I managed the pain for a month before returning to Goa and doing the procedure for a mere 2000-3000 rupees. But many of my friends and relatives alike are known to take appointments with Goan dentists, from abroad to do their dental work. In fact they consider it a priority because of the long waiting periods abroad and the exorbitant costs associated with it.

Ayurveda, which is the main runner of medical tourism isn’t doing very well in Goa. Foreign tourists prefer to go to Kerala for treatments than coming to Goa for it. Ayurveda in Goa is mainly associated with massages and that too if not done by an expert can lead to further complications. All along the beach belt one can see massage parlours, which have sprung up. Many of them disappear equally fast. In Saligao, a massage parlour charges Rs 500 per hour, which makes it questionable as the procedures are much more costly. If marketed well, our Ayurveda college and homeopathy college could do big business given the faculty and other resources/infrastructure available. Kerala is a big name in Ayurveda. This is because they have packages for different treatments and many of which are residential, which means the tourist has to reside in the centre during the course of treatment. 

For other treatments, a number of private hospitals are there to go to. Surgeries are relatively cheap and post surgery care is good in India/Goa. Recently a friend of mine, again in Perth, met with a road accident dislocating his shoulder and cutting his tongue besides other fractures. He was kept on painkillers for over 24 hours on account of lack of doctors to operate on him. Finally it was an Indian doctor who operated on him. I don’t know if it was deliberate or unintentional. However it shows the waiting periods for surgeries abroad even during emergencies are long. In another case, a lady from England, who had twisted fingers and toes on account of severe winters was either refused surgery or quoted a high amount, only to then come to Goa to get her fingers and toes straightened by an orthopaedic, paying almost nothing as compared to what she would have to pay in England. India ranks fifth in the world as far as medical tourism is concerned. The facilities are world class especially in some private hospitals. A medical tourist can easily stay in Goa for a period of a month or two and get all the required surgeries at a fraction of a cost compared to what he or she would pay abroad. If promoted and publicised well, medical tourism in Goa could go a long way. 

Healthcare packages such as in dentistry, cardiac care, cosmetic surgery, yoga, complete body heath profile, women’s health plan, cancer profile, ayurvedic, homeopathic and others are offered to tourists. Yet the takers are few in comparison to many other States in India.

Recently at the Goa International Travel Mart seminar, the topic of medical tourism was taken up and light was shed as to why it was not growing as much as it should. Conclusions were that many Goan hospitals were not recognised by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH), and promotions were not making a mark. It was also felt that industry status be given to the medical tourism with names of hospitals offering medical tourism services being included in the GTDC website. If we wish to make a name in medical tourism, a concerted effort is required by the government, the private hospitals and the stakeholders at large. It is almost three decades since medical tourism is taking the rounds in Goa. Few private hospitals, for a start are promoting themselves. However for a bigger appeal and sustained progress, all stakeholders should work in unison for the betterment of this industry and the betterment of our State. 

Certainly Goa, with its scenic beauty and other tourist attractions can go a long way in attracting tourists for medical tourism.

(Dr Cedric Silveira is the officiating Principal of Don Bosco College, Panjim)