India's medical tourism expected to rise to USD 43,500 million in next decade: Officials

The health sector in India has seen many private investments in the past five years, they said at the Indian Chamber of Commerce-organised BIMSTEC Health Forum here.

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Among the issues discussed by the delegates were the inclusion of mental health under overall health, focus on universal health coverage, telemedicine, information sharing, human capital exchange and collaborative opportunities.

Because BIMSTEC nations are sensitive to climate change, coordination between the commercial and public healthcare sectors, as well as the government, is required to effect good change while keeping the environment in mind, an official said.

Medical tourism is a recognised export from two BIMSTEC members -- India and Thailand.

A partnership with the Thai government has also been proposed to adopt Swastha Sathi's facilities (West Bengal government's healthcare scheme) and come up with a progressive plan in medical insurance, the officials said.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organisation that was established in 1997.   

The region has a combined population of over 1.68 billion people and a GDP of around USD 2.88 trillion.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Heal in India is an Initiative of the Government to promote Medical Tourism in the country. Under this Initiative, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India & Ministry of Ayush has been working with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and Services Export Promotion Council for developing a One Step Heal in India portal for the Promotion of Medical Value Travel. 

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