Developing a Multi-Specialty Health city

BANGALORE: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) called for developing a Multi-Specialty Health City at Bangalore based on a public-private partnership model to enhance medical tourism potential of the state and bring Bangalore on international tourism map.“The proposal envisages various super-specialty hospitals for patients seeking medical treatment of international standards by highly trained English-speaking healthcare professionals at affordable prices,” said The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).“This will not only help Karnataka secure a bigger share in India’s lucrative medical tourism industry but will encourage reverse brain drain by attracting non-resident Indian doctors, experts settled abroad to participate in this venture,” Chairperson of ASSOCHAM Southern Council Ravindra Sanareddy said. “ASSOCHAM and institutions alike can play a pivotal role in bringing various public, private medical institutions under one umbrella. Besides, it can further support by organising medical tourism fares to transform Karnataka into a favourable, value for money destination for medical tourism in India,” he added.According to the trade body’s study on ‘Emerging Trends In Domestic Medical Tourism Sector,’ the inflow of medical tourists in India is growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40 per cent and is likely to cross Rs. 32 lakh by 2015 from the current level of Rs. 8.5 lakh. It  earn foreign exchange  will also give huge push to the health sector across the country. Indian medical tourism industry is currently poised at around  Rs.4,500 crore and is likely to be worth Rs. 10,800 crore by 2015.