News Highlights
An international yoga and naturopathy college would be set up in Sikkim that would also boost medical tourism in the northeast, Union Minister for Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Key Initiatives of the Project
- International Yoga & Naturopathy College will be set up in Sikkim which will boost the medical tourism sector in the Northeast India
- A 30 bedded Sowa Rigpa Hospital is going to be set up in Sikkim.
- setting up of a Yoga & Wellness centre at every Gram Panchayat level in the state along with an Ayurveda Medical College under Satellite Institute programme in Sikkim.
- The Ministry is exploring the possibility to set up a Research Council for Sowa Rigpa.
What is Sowa Rigpa?
- “Sowa-Rigpa” commonly known as Amchi system of medicine is one of the oldest living medical tradition of the world.
- It has been popularly practised in Tibet, Magnolia, Bhutan, some parts of China, Nepal and Himalayan regions of India.
What is Medical Tourism?
- It is defined as ‘activities related to travel and hosting a foreign tourist who stays at least one night at the destination region for the purpose of maintaining, improving or restoring health through intervention’.
- Such medical intervention may be broadly classified into following three categories:
- Medical Treatment: Treatment for curative purposes that may include cardiac surgery, organ transplant, hip and knee replacement etc.
- Wellness & Rejuvenation: Offerings focused on rejuvenation or for aesthetic reasons such as cosmetic surgery, stress relief, spas etc.
- Alternative Medicine: AYUSH would be the major category under it.
- Current State of Indian Medical Tourism
- India is ranked 10th out of the top 46 countries in the world in the Medical Tourism Index 2020-21 by Medical Tourism Association.
- While Medical Value tourism for India was projected to be USD 9 billion by 2020, despite the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism and hospitality industry, sector is estimated to have been worth USD 5–6 billion.
- What makes India a leading Medical Tourism Destination?
- India has over 500+ Accredited Healthcare providers (JCI & NABH) and uses world-class technologies at par with the western world.
- High quality nursing capability providing high or equivalent standards of medical care as in patients home country.
- Affordability of high quality treatment is clearly the differentiator
- Use of modern medical technology, high-quality implants and internationally accepted medical supplies.
- Diverse geography with numerous tourism destinations to suit the patients schedule.
- Modern hospital and hotel facilities, good air and surface transport, developed tele-communications network and improving tourism infrastructure.
- Medical Visa norms have been simplified to ensure hassle-free visa for medical patient and attendant.
- India is known for offering alternative medicines and has certified and accredited wellness and ayurveda centres.
- Steps taken for the Promotion of Medical Tourism
- Medical Visa’ has been introduced, which can be given for specific purposes to foreign travellers coming to India for medical treatment.
- The Ministry of Tourism provides financial Assistance under Market Development Assistance Scheme to Medical Tourism Service Providers accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) for participation in Medical/ Tourism activities.
- The Ministry of Tourism, releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas, under the ‘Incredible India’ brand line.
Pic Courtesy: freepik
News Source – The Hindu