Hepatology in India

Capitalising on its highly skilled and trained professionals, 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. One branch of medicine whose rise in India has paralleled this rise in medical tourism, almost as if the two are dependent on one another, is hepatology. A number of specialised hospitals in India with highly skilled and trained professionals are well equipped not only to deal with domestic patients, the country also sees a regular influx of medical tourists from countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq, Maldives, Oman, Yemen, etc. Affordable treatment packages have also attracted patients from developed nations such as the US, UK, Germany, as well.

Greater health awareness coupled with ease of access to corresponding healthcare services have contributed to the growth of the Indian healthcare industry, with the sector expected to grow to US$ 280 billion by 2020. It is important to note that as much as globalisation and the increase in international tourism have contributed to the exponential growth of this sector, there have also been several notable domestic factors that have contributed to this growth.

● A number of specialised hospitals – from BLK Super Speciality Hospital in the north to Gleneagles Global Hospital in the south – offer complex procedures – from gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertension related to liver damage, to systemic diseases affecting liver and biliary tree; for example, haemochromatosis – at incredibly affordable rates. In fact, the “miracle pill” for Hepatitis C, that can completely cure the disease over a period of twelve weeks, is available for US $300. The same pill can cost up to US$ 1000 per pill, with the full course running up to US $84000.

● An increase in urbanisation has also contributed to an increase in problems associated with modern living. This, in turn, has led to a shift from communicable diseases to lifestyle diseases. Excluding hereditary hemochromatosis, liver cirrhosis and non-viral related cirrhosis, such as alcohol and NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis) are among the leading causes of death worldwide. In fact, in 2001, the estimated worldwide mortality from cirrhosis was 771,000 people, ranking 14th and 10th as the leading cause of death in the world and in developed countries, respectively. Deaths from cirrhosis have been estimated to increase and would make it as the 12th leading cause of death in 2020.

● Investments from the private sector into the healthcare industry in general but in the hepatology sector of that industry in particular has also grown over the years. Since it’s the capital, setting up the best hepatology centre in Delhi is priority for both the public and private sector. Not just in terms of hospitals and medical centers, India is also marking its mark in hepatology research as well. While earlier, publications by Indian investigators in peer-reviewed international journals, were a rarity, they have now become quite common.

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 hepotalogic treatment in the world. However, challenges imposed by a developing economy also exert a significant influence upon the practice of hepatology in India. Many government hospitals do not have required technological tools needed to perform complex procedures. Clearly, an open collaboration between private and public stakeholders is the need of the hour.

With consistent efforts by the government to strengthen the sector and incredible growth opportunities across different segments, supported by increasing awareness and changing lifestyles, India is set to become a global hub for hepatology services in the coming years.

Best Medical Treatment in India for Foreigners

Medical tourism in India is a growing sector. Defined as the phenomenon when people go abroad to obtain medical treatment, it has become the latest buzzword in the healthcare industry. This has led to the rise of the misconception that it is perhaps an untrustworthy sector, for it is still in its infancy. The reality is far from it. While yes, perhaps the term “medical tourism” is fairly new, the idea itself is not. The first documented cases of medical tourism can be traced back to the height of the Greek Empire, with pilgrims traveling from eastern Mediterranean to Epidauria searching for cures for their ailments. Further, although historically medical tourism has indeed been linked to the phenomenon of people from developing nations going to prominent medical centers in developed nations, with time, and perhaps as a result of unfettered capitalism, the tide itself is shifting. Every year more people arrive in the other half, looking for cheaper, more accessible healthcare. And this is where India comes into the picture.

There are several advantages of medical tourism in India. As a result, over the years, medical tourism from Africa to India and from countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq, Maldives, Oman, Yemen, etc. have been on the rise. Further, affordable medical treatment packages have also attracted patients from developed nations such as US, UK, Germany, as well. Not only healthcare services in India are available at a cost-effective rate, especially when compared to the West, they are delivered by world-class, highly skilled, and trained professionals. Some of the most popular and best medical treatments in India for foreigners include heart bypass surgery, knee replacement surgery, breast implants, liposuction, IVF treatment. For the purpose of comparison, compare the following: a heart bypass procedure can run up to US$ 144,000 in US when it can be done in India for US$ 5,200; a hip replacement surgery can cost up to US$ 50,000, when in fact it could be done in US$ 7,000 in India; lasik (for both eyes) cost about US$ 4,400 in the US, when it costs only US$ 500 in India.

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.

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. India has an abundance of highly skilled professionals. In fact, we've got so many talented doctors, the new stereotype of "doctor" in Hollywood is that of an Indian. Further, although India is a land of diversity and thus has thousands of languages – the Constitution itself mentions 22 “scheduled” languages – English is widely used as the language for official correspondence. Most Indians receive all of their education in English and thus are quite fluent in it. Further, the best hospitals in India are well equipped in dealing with regular influx of medical tourists who have specialised teams trained to make the patient comfortable during their stay. Such hospitals have specific programs that take into consideration the cultural and ethnic background of the patients to provide a ‘home away from home’ stay.

It is important to note that owing to its rich tradition of ancient practices such as Ayurveda and Yoga, there are various types of medical tourism in India. India is one of the top destinations for wellness and rejuvenation. Over the last couple of years in particular, thanks in part to globalisation bridging the gap between the “East” and the “West,” the world has taken an interest in not just the science behind the alternative medicinal practices of Naturopathy and Siddha, the history of Ayurveda, and the practice of Yoga, but also in the multi-dimensional concept of physical, mental and emotional well-being and their documented benefits. The country sees a steady influx of tourists from United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, etc. at a number of wellness and rejuvenation resorts across the country, that offer not just the best ayurvedic treatment in India but also personalised wellness programs.

Choosing to opt for medical tourism is not an easy decision. There are, understandably, a number of factors that patients must consider before their trip. With myths and misinformation abound, it is important now more than ever to conduct thorough research. Once these misconceptions are out of the way, you will discover that medical tourism in India 2020 is not only cheap and affordable as advertised, but safe and effective to go with it.