‘The export of medical services in India will be the next sector
to reach the commanding heights which ITES enjoys today’ said Mr J S Deepak,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry today in the
conference organized by CII on Medical Value Travel in India with the theme
‘The India Opportunity: opening new avenues of partnerships and collaboration’.
The Conference was organized on the second day of Global Exhibition on Services
at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Highlighting the four pillars for any service export viz
competitiveness, market access, incentives and export promotion, Mr Deepak
stated that Indian industry in the sector is well equipped in all the four
pillars. Enumerating the Government endeavor to provide incentives to the
sector, he informed that 5% reward was being provided to services providers on
net export in healthcare in the recently announced Foreign Trade Policy.
In her opening remarks, Dr
Shubnum Singh, Dean-Education, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd.
highlighted the huge opportunities in Medical Travel in India. Stating that
this business is growing 30% year on year, she emphasized on strategic
partnerships with target countries and need to look into various aspects
related to foreigners coming for treatment.
Dr Harinder Singh Sidhu, Africa Business Head,
Apollo Hospitals Group highlighted the various other nuances related to the
services provided to foreign customers related to accessing right information.
Appreciating the recently announced Health Portal, he said that this is the
right forum for accessing information. He raised his concern about the
multiplicity of ministries involved in Medical Value Travel like Health,
Tourism, Department of Commerce and External Affairs..
Mr Udyan Dravid, Regional Director,
Fortis Healthcare (India) Ltd. enumerated the two important factors for medical
travel of affordability and accessibility. The industry needs to work on
mapping of needs and providing accessibility accordingly, he further added. Ms Christina Demores,
Founder, International Medical Tourism Chamber of Commerce shared her
experiences and emphasized on the need for focusing on specific issues related
to Medical Travel.
Ms Julie Munro, President, Medical
Tourism Quality Assurance Council asked the Indian industry to work on trust,
care, transparency, communication to change the perception of low quality
associated with low cost medical services in India. She also highlighted the
need to take a holistic view in providing medical services to foreigners and
work on processes and standards.
Mr Ian Motondo, Director, Indizim Health Pvt Ltd in his remarks, emphasized on
the need for after care, unbiased support, low cost and quality services.
New Delhi
24th April 2015