| One of the greatest achievements of the civilized | | | | at major medical centers in the United States and |
| society is the longevity of human life; this longevity has | | | | Europe. |
| paved way for new and significant developments in | | | | In some countries, clinics are backed by sophisticated |
| the healthcare industry. The increasing acceptance of | | | | research infrastructures as well. India is among the |
| surgery added with the excitement of travel and | | | | world's leading countries for biotechnology research. |
| tourism is fuelling a new medical tourism industry in | | | | Add to this the fact that some healthcare centers |
| South East Asia, with India and Thailand pioneering the | | | | assign patients a personal assistant for the |
| cause. | | | | post-hospital recovery period and throw in a vacation |
| Healthcare facilitators have realized the potential of the | | | | incentive as well, and the deal gets even more alluring. |
| industry and are making sure patients traveling find the | | | | Additionally, many Asian airlines offer frequent-flyer |
| destination is not anything like the commonly perceived | | | | miles to ease the cost of returning for follow-up visits. |
| third world scenario. In contrast they receive luxury | | | | Medical tourism organizations work exclusively with |
| amenities complimenting top quality health care. The | | | | leading and internationally accredited private hospitals |
| quality, affordability and accessibility of medical | | | | to take care of patients from abroad. They make all |
| procedures are the main pulses for people considering | | | | arrangements including airfares, accommodation, airport |
| going overseas for surgery. | | | | hotel transfers and access to specialists and surgeons. |
| Nationals of the United States of America and/or | | | | Market trends guarantee that medical tourism in India |
| Western Europe find the Third World expenses for | | | | will continue to expand in the years ahead. As in most |
| medical services quite affordable. Medical tourists have | | | | tourist-oriented medical communities, the major |
| good cause to seek out care beyond their boundaries. | | | | attractions are cosmetic surgery and dental |
| The public health-care system is so overburdened in | | | | treatments. However, eye surgery, kidney dialysis and |
| many developed nations that it sometimes takes | | | | organ transplantation also are among the most |
| years to get the needed attention. | | | | common procedures sought by medical vacationers in |
| While this affordability makes medical tourism | | | | India. India has top-notch centers for open-heart |
| attractive to its prospective patients, risks such as lack | | | | surgery, pediatric heart surgery, hip and knee |
| of protection in cases of malpractice, possible lack of | | | | replacement, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, bone marrow |
| adequate pre-operational assessment and/or follow-up | | | | transplants and cancer therapy. Virtually all of India's |
| can also accompany it. Yet, the hospitals and clinics | | | | healthcare centers are equipped with the latest |
| that cater to the tourist market often is among the | | | | electronic and medical diagnostic equipment. |
| best in the world, and many recruit physicians trained | | | | |