Kochi: The medical tourism sector in state is witnessing a phenomenal growth and is set to touch $ 1billion mark by 2020, thanks to availability of good quality service and advanced medical treatment at low cost.
“The Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector in Kerala is expected to touch $ 1 billion in revenue next year while that of the country is expected to grow to $ 8 billion by 2020. A lot of investments are happening in healthcare sector in the state. As a result, the state has been able to reverse the brain drain, with many doctors coming back to the state,” said Dr Harish Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, Aster Hospitals & Clinics.
He was speaking at the launch of seventh edition of Kerala Health Tourism (KHT) - the International Conference and Exhibition on Health Tourism that got underway here on Wednesday.
International delegates from nine countries – Bangladesh, Oman, Africa, Jeddha, Cambodia, Iraq, Maldives, Yemen and Uzbezkistan – are taking part in the two-day summit.
“Maldivians come to Kerala for healthcare not for its proximity, but its good quality. We have felt welcome here,” said Aishath Mohamed Didi, Ambassador, Republic of Maldives.
Abdulmalk Abdullah Al Eryani, Ambassador, Republic of Yemen, noted that India has been a major centre for treatment for Yemenis for the past 40 years. “In Kerala, we have found a very safe environment for our patients.”
Paul Thomas, Chairman, CII Kerala & Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Esaf Microfinance & Investments Pvt Ltd said many factors favoured Kerala for the Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector in the form of well-trained practitioners, English speaking medical staff, infrastructure in the form of super specialty hospitals, use of technology, advanced diagnostic equipment, low waiting times and availability of these services at a low cost.
“Kerala has emerged as a hub of Ayurvedic healing and the mix of modern and alternative treatment systems is its unique strength,” he said.
The summit organised by Confederation of Indian industry (CII) in association with Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) will deliberate on the theme Kerala – an emerging Global Hotspot for MVT.
