Gujarat announces medical tourism policy

The government of Gujarat, a state in northwestern India, announced its new Medical Tourism Policy.  The announcement, released by its information department, stated that the Gujarat Medical Tourism Council will be formed for planned implementation of the policy aimed at making Gujarat the “ultimate destination for people seeking medical [treatment] the world over.” 

An ambitious goal, for sure, but it may actually be very close to a real possiblity.  While the India’s medical tourism industry has grown about 20% overall, Gujarat’s health tourism sector has grown about 33 percent.   

The policy, created to foster an expansive and prolific medical tourism environment, is outlines comprehensive plans to establish medical facilities in Gujarat that are capable of serving the medical needs of international patients. 

In fact, one of the tasks of the policy is to make the international travel experience for visitors convenient and cost effective.  Certainly, Gujarat has the infrastructure needed to see its medical tourism plan come to fruition.  It is the most industrialized statein the Republic of India, producing 19.8% of the country's total industrial output. 

Also, general tourism is already popular in Gujarat because of its natural gifts; the region happens to be the only natural habitat of lions outside of Africa.  The state’s Gir National Park covers a portion of the lions’ habitat.  There are also ancient temples, ruins, and a plethora of archeological sites to visit.  But as intriguing as the region’s history is, Gujarat’s most recent initiative is all about looking forward, not to the past.  

Under the forward-looking policy, the government will enact plans to assist insurance companies develop different packages of international standard. The policy also envisages world-class medical facilities with public participation. And, as is what is likely the most important step in any destination becoming a medical tourism hub, the policy will lay out hospital accreditation standards.  

In every case, it seems, no matter where the destination, medical tourism has the best chance of thriving when backed by its government.  Gujarat and the entire state of India realizes that, and that’s why industry analysts predict that the country will rake in about $2 billion annually in a few short years.