Comparing the healthcare systems of two of the world’s biggest countries highlights the changes we can make to improve the infrastructure in our country while bringing to the fore some of our potential strengths. While prima facie, it might appear that Australia has perfected its healthcare spending, access, and infrastructure, the rising number of Australians seeking treatment abroad shows cracks in the uthopia
No doubt, Australia holds a significant edge over India when it comes to healthcare services. Perhaps the difference in the availability of doctors per 1000 (0.759 for India and 3.587 for Australia) is reflected in the difference between the average life expectancy in the two countries (69 years for India and 82.7 years Australia). However, it is important to note how unfair this comparison is. Challenges imposed by a developing economy exert a significant influence over the healthcare system in India. Australia, on the other hand, already a “developed nation,” has its own challenges. And this is, precisely, where India comes into picture.
With its highly skilled and trained professionals, ease of travel, quality healthcare services, India has steadily risen in the ranks of premium healthcare service providers in the world. So much so that according to a report published by the Ministry of Commerce, the medical tourism industry is expected to reach $9 billion in 2020; so much so that the Ministry of Tourism reports a 166 per cent jump on the number of people entering India on medical visas – from 75, 688 in 2014 to 201,333 in 2016.
A number of factors, together, have led to this substantial rise in medical tourists in the country, especially from Australia – lower costs of medical treatments as compared to the patients’ home countries, highly skilled doctors, trained professional staff with an ability to provide a ‘home away from home’ stay to the patients, internationally accredited hospitals, world class technology, and other logistics such as cheap accommodation costs. Additionally, the growing popularity of alternative medicine such as Ayurveda and Yoga in the world, and India’s storied history has the originator of those, has further piqued medical tourism from Oz.
For the purpose of comparison, compare the following: The cost of a Spinal Fusion surgery, in any NSW Public Hospital in Australia, can run upto AU$ 53,700. The same procedure, including travel costs and accommodation for the patient and one attendee, in India can be done in only AU$ 7,800. Similarly, knee replacement surgery can cost upto AU$ 19,700 in a NSW Public Hospital in Australia, when the same can be done under AU$ 6,500 in India, all travel and accommodation costs included.
It is important to note that the low cost of these services does not mean low quality of services. Healthcare is cheap in India as compared to other “western”/”developed” countries because of lower labour costs. A large population means a large batch of readily available pool of labour – doctors, nurses, janitors, etc – and this brings down the cost per head per hour, especially when compared to the West. Further, low labour costs bring down the taxation on the same since the two are directly correlated. Along the same lines, hospitals dealing with a large and steady influx of medical tourists need to obtain certifications and accreditations from the Government of India, a number of which deal with proper hygiene and sanitation. Further, hospitals in general need to maintain a certain standard of cleanliness at their premises if they want to be internationally recognised. Again, cheap healthcare does not mean substandard sanitation and dirty premises; it is because of cheap labour costs.
Streamlined processes, advanced technologies, state-of-the-art infrastructures, specialised & interdisciplinary care, along with highly knowledgeable and skilled doctors, supported by a thoroughly trained and compassionate staff makes India one of the premium destinations for healthcare service providers in the world, and a prime alternative for Australians seeking affordable and excellent treatments by experts abroad.
