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2008-01-28T11:22:00.001+05:30

MEDICAL INSURANCE

2008-01-18T15:39:00.000+05:30

Medical insurance is seen as the fastest growing segment in the Indian economy.

A recent outcome of the privatisation of health services in India has been the growth of medical tourism to the extent that this sector is perceived as a fast-growing segment of the economy. India is a recent entrant into this industry and is expected to become a $2-billion business by 2012.

The driving force behind medical tourism is its cost effectiveness and the possibility of attracting substantial tourism revenue. Medical care, packaged with traditional therapies like yoga, meditation, ayurveda, allopathy, and other traditional systems of medicines, attract high-end tourists especially from European countries and the Middle East.

Kerala has pioneered health and medical tourism in India. But low- cost treatment is the ultimate factor weighing in favour of India. Medical care costs only one-fifth of the costs in the West. So if a particular surgery costs $30,000 in the West, it would cost only $6,000 in India.

India has gained acceptance in areas of medical care such as organ transplant, knee replacement, open-heart surgery and others because of the efforts of the corporate sector in the medical as well as tourism industry. The state-of-the-art equipment and well-qualified practitioners at these hospitals is what attract patients from other countries.

It is estimated that foreigners account for about 12 per cent of all patients in top hospitalsof Mumbai, like Lilavati, Jaslok, Breach Candy, Bombay Hospital, Hinduja Hospital, Apollo and Wockhardt.

While on the one hand this industry enthuses the tourism ministry, state tourism boards, travel agents, tour operators and hotels, it poses new concerns, since a price advantageis not enough to attract patients. Health and tourism industries need to pool their resources to improve medical standards, clinical expertise, insurance coverage and appropriate infrastructure.However, the cost effectiveness works as a boon only for a fraction of patients who can afford to migrate from their countries where these services are expensive. They come to countries like India, where they can afford almost the same quality of treatment but with the additional excitement of tourism.

Only specialised hospitals run by large private corporate entities are currently able to provide medical tourism. A large influx of the well-heeled or foreign parients could lead to a reverse brain drain with government medical practitioners migrating to these affluent centres of medical excellence, to the detriment of the poor.

At present, about 59 per cent of medical practitioners are located in the cities, though the bulk of India's population lives in the remote rural interiors, which any way are deprived of basic healthcare facilities.

So while private airlines gear up to fly passengers and hotel spas prepare themselves to offer esoteric therapies, the government must roll up its sleeves to ensure this imbalance is not caused in the social sector, while welcoming foreign patients who bring in valuable revenue.

"FIRST WORLD TREATMENT AT THIRD WORLD PRICES" INDIA EMEGING AS MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATION ?

2008-01-18T15:34:00.000+05:30

The Price advantage is a major selling point. The slogan, thus is, "First World treatment' at Third World prices". The cost differential across the board is huge: only a tenth and sometimes even a sixteenth of the cost in the West. Open-heart surgery could cost up to $70,000 in Britain and up to $150,000 in the US; in India's best hospitals it could cost between $3,000 and $10,000. Knee surgery (on both knees) costs 350,000 rupees ($7,700) in India; in Britain this costs £10,000 ($16,950), more than twice as much. Dental, eye and cosmetic surgeries in Western countries cost three to four times as much as in India.

India have a lot of hospitals offering world class treatments in nearly every medical sector such as cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint replacement, orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, transplants and urology to name a few. The various specialties covered are Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, ENT, Paediatrics, Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Neurology, Urology, Nephrology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Plastic Surgery, Gynaecology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, General Medicine & General Surgery.

For long promoted for its cultural and scenic beauty, India is now being put up on international map as a heaven for those seeking quality and affordable healthcare. Analysts say that as many as 150,000 medical tourists came to India in 2004. As Indian corporate hospitals are on par, if not better than the best hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc there is scope for improvement, and the country is becoming a preferred medical destination.

In addition to the increasingly top class medical care, a big draw for foreign patients is also the very minimal or hardly any waitlist as is common in European or American hospitals. Leisure Tourism is already very much in demand in India as the country offers diverse cultural and scenic beauty. India has almost all sort of destinations like high mountains, vast deserts, scenic beaches, historical monuments, religious temples etc. Known for its hospitality for tourists, the county has opened doors to welcome with the same hospitality f medical patients/ service seekers.

A NICE blend of top-class medical expertise at attractive prices is helping a growing number of Indian corporate hospitals lure foreign patients, including from developed nations such as the UK and the US.

If a liver transplant costs in the range of Rs 60 lakh-70 lakh in Europe and double that in the US, a few Indian hospitals, such as Global in Hyderabad, have the courage to do it in around Rs 15 lakh-20 lakh. Similarly, if a heart surgery in the US costs about Rs 20 lakh, the Chennai-headquartered Apollo Hospitals Group does it in roughly Rs 2 lakh.

As more and more patients from Europe, the US and other affluent nations with high medicare costs look for effective options, India is pitted against Thailand, Singapore and some other Asian countries, which have good hospitals, salubrious climate and tourist destinations.

While Thailand and Singapore with their advanced medical facilities and built-in medical tourism options have been drawing foreign patients of the order of a couple of lakhs per annum, the rapidly expanding Indian corporate hospital sector has been able to get a few thousands for treatment.

But, things are going to change drastically in favour of India, especially in view of the high quality expertise of medical professionals, backed by the fast improving equipment and nursing facilities, and above all, the cost-effectiveness of the package.

The Apollo Group, Escorts Hospitals in New Delhi and Jaslok Hospitals in Mumbai are to name a few which are established names even abroad. A list of corporate hospitals such as Global Hospitals, CARE and Dr L.V. Prasad Eye Hospitals in Hyderabad, The Hindujas in Mumbai, etc also have built capabilities and are handling a steadily increasing flow of foreign patients. "India has much more expertise than say Thailand or Malaysia. The infrastructure in some of India's hospitals is also very good. What is more significant is that the costs are much less, almost one-third of those in other Asian countries," says Dr K. Ravindranath, who returned from abroad to start Global Hospitals, which has facilities for liver, kidney and heart transplantations.

As Indian corporate hospitals are on par, if not better than the best hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc there is scope for improvement, and the country may become a preferred medical destination. This can be done through an orchestrated effort by the Centre, airlines, travel houses, insurance companies, tourism sector and healthcare providers.

While accreditation from an international body such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) facilitates better response from Europe and the US, recognition from the National Health Services (NHS) ensures international standards in terms of patient care, quality improvement and patient safety. The Apollo Hospitals Group got accredited with JCI.
Indian corporate hospitals excelled in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint replacement, orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, transplants and urology to name a few.

The CARE Hospitals, which has specialised in heartcare, has concentrated on drawing patients from the Gulf and at least 50 were treated last year.
In addition to the increasingly top class medical care, a big draw for foreign patients is also the very minimal or hardly any waitlist as is common in European or American hospitals. In fact, priority treatment is provided today in Indian hospitals.

WHAT IS MEDICAL TOURISM ?

2008-01-18T15:01:00.000+05:30

Medical tourism can be broadly defined as the provision of 'cost effective' private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment.
The process of healthcare tourism is jointly facilitated by the corporate sector involved in medical and healthcare as well as the tourism industry - both private and public.
Medical tourism has become a common form of vacationing, and covers a broad spectrum of medical services. Medical tourism mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with wellness and healthcare.A combination of many factors has lead to the recent increase in popularity of medical tourism.

Exorbitant cost of healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries, ease and affordability of international travel, favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and high standards of medical care in the developing countries has all contributed their share to this rapid development of medical tourism.

India has originated as one of the most important hubs for medical toursim.Many people from the developed countries come to India for the rejuvenation promised by yoga and Ayurvedic massage however, a nice blend of top-class medical expertise at attractive prices is helping more and more Indian corporate hospitals to lure foreign patients, including patients from developed nations such as the UK and the US, for high end surgeries like Cardiac ByPass Surgery or a Knee/Hip Replacement.
As more and more patients from Europe, the USA and other affluent nations with high medical costs look for effective options, healthcare tourism in India is definitely on the cards for most of them and the fast growing Indian corporate health sector is fully geared to meet that need.

Not just cost savings or the high standard of medical care facility, but also the waiting time is much lower for any treatment in India than in any other country. Medical help is often an emergency and situations can turn worse if the treatment is delayed. While you might have to wait for several months to get a surgical operation done in the US, in India things can be arranged within a week.

Medical Tourism India (a.k.a. Health Tourism India) is a developing concept whereby people from world over visit India for their medical and relaxation needs. Most common treatments are heart surgery, knee transplant, cosmetic surgery and dental care. The reason India is a favourable destination is because of it's infrastructure and technology in which is On par with those in USA, UK and Europe. India has some of the best hospitals and treatment centers in the world with the best facilities. Since it is also one of the most favourable tourist destinations in the world, Medication combines with tourism has come into effect, from which the concept of Medical Tourism is derived.

Taken from Financial Times (2/7/03)
India is promoting the "high-tech healing" of its private health care sector as a tourist attraction. The government hopes to encourage a budding trade in medical tourism, selling foreigners the idea of travelling to India for low-cost but world-class medical treatment. Naresh Trehan, executive director of Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, a leading private health care provider, says India has established world-class expertise in practices such as cardiac care, cosmetic surgery, joint replacements and dentistry.

Merging medical expertise and tourism became government policy when finance minister Jaswant Singh, in this year's budget, called for India to become a "global health destination". .....For example, in April Madras Medical Mission, a Chennai-based hospital, successfully conducted a complex heart operation on an 87-year-old American patient at a reported cost of $8,000 (€7,000, £4,850) including the cost of his airfare and a month's stay in hospital. The patient claimed that a less complex operation in America had earlier cost him $40,000.

TRAVEL HEALTH MANAGEMENT

2008-01-18T08:24:00.000+05:30

Health management

Prevention is better than cure. Watch out for symptoms and take remedial action ASAP!
a) Ailments from over-exposure
b) Common diseases
c) Cuts, bites and stings

a) Ailments from over-exposure

Sun – use sunscreens with SPF 20 and more to prevent sunburn. Avoid direct exposure to the sun as far as possible and keep yourself well hydrated to prevent sunstroke. Recognise the symptoms – fatigue, dizziness, high fever and severe headache – and treat immediately.

Snow – Prevent sunburn by using sun protection lotion with high SPF. Wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun on snow. Prevent hypothermia by wearing multiple layers of clothes – wool, silk and synthetic fabrics provide excellent insulation.
Rule No 1 – keep extremities well covered. A woollen cap reduces the loss of body heat through the head; equally important are a thick pair of gloves and warm woollen socks. Keep dry to avoid frostbite; change out of your damp/wet clothes/socks/gloves as soon as you can. Place your sleeping bag on a water proof sheet at night, as dampness leads to frostbite and hypothermia.

High altitude – Acclimatise before heading north! Watch out for mountain sickness – breathlessness, lethargy, dizziness and headaches. High altitude sickness can be treated only symptomatically, if that doesn’t help, then the best thing is to descend to lower altitudes.
The best way to prevent high altitude sickness is to acclimatize, ascend slowly, drink plenty of fluids, eat light meals and avoid cigarettes, alcohol and sedatives.

Motion sickness – Motion sickness is commonly experienced in boats, cars, trains and planes.Reduce the possibility by eating a light meal before a journey. If prone to motion sickness, take anti nausea medication before the onset of the journey. The same medication will not help once you are already feeling sick.

b) Common diseases

Diarrhoea – Avoid diarrhoea by being careful about what you eat and drink. Drink only bottled water; when not available, use water purification tablets. If doubtful about the source of water, stay with a hot cup of tea, coffee or aerated drinks. Always remember to brush your teeth with bottled or purified water.

Eat only freshly cooked food at a clean and well-patronised place. Do not eat uncooked salads and cut fruit – eat only fruit that you can peel. Do not eat food that has been left in the open or looks stale. In tropical countries, avoid meat and fish in the summer months.

Malaria - Endemic to South East and East Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, South and North Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) Indian Subcontinent and Africa. Spread by mosquito bite from infected female Anopheles mosquito, the infection passes into the blood stream and results in high fevers with severe rigors (shivers and chill).

Sometimes, it can develop into Cerebral Malaria, often fatal if not treated in time.

Before you visit a malaria prone region ask your doctor to prescribe anti malaria tablets. Start taking them well before you arrive at your destination. Once there, be sure to cover your arms and legs; be liberal with the repellent, and in problem areas sleep under a mosquito net. Avoid camping/ resting near stagnant pools and ponds.

Viral fevers - Feed the cold and starve the fever! See a doctor if your fever lasts for more then two days. Take the prescribed medicines. Avoid close contact with people who have cold or other infections.

c) Cuts, ticks and stings

Your first aid kit will come handy. If you cut or bruise yourself, wash the area well, apply antiseptic cream and cover with a bandage.

Avoid sharing bedding, clothes and combs to protect yourself from lice and bugs. If you are in a leech-infested area, wear boots and keep your arms and legs covered. In case a leech attaches itself to your body, do not try to pull it off. Instead use salt or a lighted cigarette to make it fall off.

Bee and wasp stings are usually more painful than serious. But some people may be allergic to bee stings – in such cases use antihistamines and see a doctor. Use calamine lotion or ice to cool the affected area.

KEEPING FIT WHILE ON THE MOVE

2008-01-18T08:19:00.000+05:30

STAY FIT

Keep fit while on the move. There is nothing worse than being out of commission, with a bout of the "loosies". Follow these simple steps to remain in fine fettle, and sound as a bell!

WATER AND FOOD

Eliminate chances of getting Delhi Belly or Montezuma's Revenge(gastro enteritis) by eating and drinking sensibly. Drink only bottled water. When not available, use water purification tablets. If doubtful about the source of water, stay with a hot cup of tea, coffee or aerated drinks. Always remember to brush your teeth with bottled or purified water.

Drink plenty of water/fluids when travelling in hot countries as dehydration suddenly catches up with you.

Eat only freshly cooked food at clean and well-patronised places. Avoid salads and cut fruit, eat only fruit that you can peel. Do not eat food that has been left in the open or appears stale. Avoid meat and fish during the summer months in tropical countries.

HEALTH ADVICE WHILE TRAVELLING

2008-01-18T08:01:00.000+05:30

Aleppy boils,Kyasunura forest disease ,Defy Delhi belly, Freetown filaria, Cotswold cold and Manila malaria - be health wise and travel right. Take preventive pills, keep at bay potential ills and cut out on medical bills . In this post,I shall try to provide you with invaluable information, handy tips and essential guidelines to make your journey safe and sound. Stay in the pink of health .

Prepare to take off

Take a day off to have a medical check up and make sure that all is well with you. A comprehensive medical insurance will help you cover any health emergency while you are on the move. Check for possible disease outbreaks in the area you are travelling to, and ensure you take the necessary precautions. An aware traveller is a healthy traveller.

a) Medical Insurance
b)Immunisations
c)First Aid Kit
d)Personal medical information

a) Medical Insurance

Choose a policy that provides the most comprehensive coverage. Consult your travel or insurance agent for recommendations. You may want to go with a policy that covers ambulance, hospitalisation, medication, possible medical evacuation and/or a flight home. Check to see if the policy will make a direct payment to the hospital instead of your having to first pay and then getting reimbursed.

b) Immunisations

Yellow Fever: If you are travelling to and from the tropical countries of South America and sub Saharan Africa, be sure to get your yellow fever shot.
Consult your GP for any additional inoculations. Some of them are suggested below:
Typhoid vaccine – recommended if you are planning an extended trip to any developing country.
Hepatitis B – if you are travelling to Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.
Hepatitis A – recommended for all travellers.
Diphtheria and tetanus – take a booster dose if you haven’t had one in the last ten years.
Influenza ( Flu ) vaccine - recommended for senior citizens and high risk individuals.
Pneumonococcal vaccine - recommended for senior citizens and high risk individuals.

c) First Aid Kit
Carry some basic medication for those aches and pains while on the move. I shall provide you a basic list.

Paracetamol - combats fever, body ache and malaise. Safe to use.
Anti- Histamines (ointments/tablets) - effective in common colds, coughs, insect bites, hives, pollen allergies. some of them are Tab.ALLEGRA 120mg & Tab.ATARAX 10mg etc
Oral Rehydration Packs - you can carry ELECTRAL / RELYTE /WALYTE / PUNARJAL
Band Aids
Water Sterilisation tablets
Iodoform Bottle
Sterile gauze and 1 inch plaster (adhesive)
Safety razor, twine (snake bites and tourniquet) and sewing needles for removing thorns and barbs
Anti-Diarrhoea tablets (medically prescribed)
Anti – Malaria (medically prescribed)
Eyedrops

d) Personal medical information

If allergic to any medication, carry a note on your person/wallet. Find out your blood group, if you don’t already know, and make a note of it too. If you wear specs or lenses, carry an extra pair along with your prescription. Be sure to carry the prescription of medication you maybe on. Generic names will help you get the correct medicine in foreign countries. If diabetic ,hypertensive or epileptic, always carry your medication with you.

TRAVEL SMART - THE TIPS FOR A HASSLE FREE JOURNEY

2008-01-18T07:39:00.000+05:30

HIGH FLIERS

-To beat jetlag, book an overnight flight or one that arrives in the evening when travelling east so you can either catch your sleep on the flight or as soon as you get in to your destination.

-To prevent the swelling of feet as is wont to happen on long flights, walk in the aisle at intervals and try not to take off your shoes.

-Refrain from OD-ing on the free booze when on a flight, as too much alcohol causes dehydration. Tank up instead on aqua-pura.

-When making flight reservation, remember to request for special meals if you have any food restrictions.

-After September 11, airlines follow very strict security procedures. So make sure you reach the airport for check in well before departure time. Its best to check with the airline regarding how much in advance you should be at the airport.

-If your baggage does not arrive on the same flight as you, fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), with a description of the baggage, a list of contents and address to which it should be forwarded. If your baggage does not arrive at all, place a claim with the airline within 21 days.

-Overbooking is a fact of life in the airline industry. If you are not in a particular hurry to get to your destination then volunteer to give your seat up and take the next flight. The airline will provide you a hotel room and other frills, so you can end up having an extended vacation at the airlines expense!

-Do not accept any package from a stranger.

-For a smooth ride on a plane, choose the seats located near the wings as if the plane hits an air pocket, this is where you will get the least amount of bumps.

-If you are planning to watch the in flight movie, choose the fourth or fifth row from the screen to avoid getting a neck cramp.

-If you are prone to motion sickness, take an anti sickness pill before the flight. The pill won't help much, if you have it after you have started feeling sick!

-Abide by the list of items prohibited on board and carry most items like skis/cues/walking canes/sticks/Swiss knives in checked in baggage - this smoothens the check-in process plus avoids the risk of confiscation and unnecessary delays.

-Last and this is equally important - report any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest airport or airline personnel.

KNOW WEATHER

-Keep track of the weather at your destination and be prepared, especially if you are going to a hurricane prone area.

ACCOMMODATION & HOTEL

-Make your hotel reservations in advance, especially if you are visiting a place in peak season. You don’t want to be caught without a roof over your head!

-Negotiating room tariffs over the phone? Call the hotel twice to confirm the rates. Note down the name of the person you have talked to and request a written/faxed confirmation. This way you can be sure that you will not be wrongly billed by the hotel.

-Don't depend solely on the hotel's alarm service. Carry your own little alarm clock to catch an early morning flight or that pre-dawn sightseeing trip.

-When you check into your hotel, ask the reception to give you a card with the hotel's name address and telephone number. This will come in handy if you get lost or forget the name of your hotel.

-Check whether your hotel has a hair-dryer, iron, coffee percolator, etc, to avoid carrying these gadgets and also making it easy to skip the 110/220 conversion problem when travelling to foreign countries.

-Most hotels frown on guests doing their own laundry in the bathrooms, but if you do need to wash some smalls, carry a length of nylon twine to improvise a clothesline.

A COOL WINTER BREEZE & THE HILLS OF KERALA

2008-01-16T19:02:00.000+05:30

Nestled amidst the lush forests of Western Ghats are 12 wildlife and bird sanctuaries and two national Parks.Each one is home to an array of rare animals and birds,insects,reptiles,butterflies and plants.Exotic destinations with exciting trekking trails,beautiful man made lakes, and gigantic water falls offer the outsider a glimpse in to a spiritual land scape rich and awash with nature .

VISITING PLACES IN INDIA

2008-01-16T18:56:00.000+05:30

We all knew that we have to plan our journey well in advance.When you are travelling with in the country(INDIA) ,travelling by trains seems to be economical and stands a fairer alternative tothe road transport.You have the advantage of even attending your natural calls and Even you can walk along if you are making a long journey. Even if you fall ill during your journey on railways,there are good medical facilities available .you need to inform your TTI (Travelling Ticket Inspector) and same information is passed on to the nearest railway health unit which is on the way.So you will be attended soon by a Railway doctor. Food is never a problem once you are travelling in a train.Most of the Trains are provided with PANTRY CARS which serve almost good quality food. Even IRCTC is planning to provide Internet(RAIL NET ) to those travelling in First class .

If you are hailing from a metro city you can book your journey tickets at any of the nearest train reservation points and this is advisable also as to avoid the rush at the main terminals because of the huge number of passengers travelling by trains.If you have an access to net you can book the tickets online from the Indian Railways on line portal http://www.irctc.co.in/. one needs to be a registered user to do this. You can also know the running & reservation information from the other website i.e., http://www.trainenquiry.com/ .you can also visit the other site http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ .you need to have a credit card or ATM card to book the tickets online.When filling the reservation form at a reservation counter you might have faced the problem of finding the station codes and train numbers.Here I am going to provide to you the list of codes of important stations and also those of important trains.

TRAVEL PLANNING

2008-01-16T18:41:00.000+05:30

When you plan a Journey you need to decide how to travel i.e., by road or Train or a Cab or you wanted to fly.Journey is a pleasant experience for everyone.So I advice you to plan well in advance & also decide the mode of transport by road or Train. If you are travelling by Bus you can travel by Govt.run road transport service ( KSRTC , TSRTC ,APSRTC etc....) or else there are a host of private travel agencies where you can book your journey tickets and travel.I will try to provide you the details of the Various Travel agents across the country of India.So that you can use this information.

WISH YOU A HAPPY JOURNEY.