Pune is emerging as a destination for medical tourism because the city has good hospitals with accomplished specialists capable of providing world-class treatment at far lower costs. It is economical for citizens of other developing nations to come to Pune for treatment. Sakàl Times reports

India has been a front runner in medical tourism in Asia, along with Thailand and Singapore, by gaining recognition for providing quality healthcare at a comparatively lower cost. And Pune is definitely emerging as a hub due to its state-of-the-art hospitals, technical know-how, medical expertise and availability of the latest equipment, generating nearly Rs100 crore as annual revenue from foreign patients who come here for treatment.

The difference between cost of treatment in Pune and other metro cities could be as much as a few lakhs of rupees, making Pune a preferred medical destination. The Ruby Hall Clinic, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital and Jehangir Hospital are among those which offer specialised treatment for cancer, joint replacement and hip surgeries, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), cosmetic surgery, spine-related problems, kidney transplant, bone marrow transplant, cardiac problems and others.

In addition, these hospitals provide good services with international standard rooms, Internet facility, interpreters, tours for relatives and so on.

That the city does not have good air connectivity is not a deterrent as many hospitals run pick and drop services from the Mumbai international airport. The city is also well-connected by road and railways. Pleasant weather, good eating places, shopping centres, and historical attractions also make Pune a preferred destination for medical tourists.

A large section of these foreign patients belong to African and Middle East countries, rather than the US, UK and other European countries, from where the travel time would be more than 18 hours. Moreover, the city also has a large foreign student presence of around 18,000, most of whom hail from countries like Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Zambia, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq and others. These students also act as de facto brand ambassadors for Pune, when they get their relatives here for treatment.

WHAT IS MEDICAL TOURISM ?

It is a term used to mean travelling abroad for medical treatment to a city where modern hospitals with skilled specialists using world-class diagnostic facilities are available. Medical tourism happens because of two main reasons – either patients are unable to find such treatment and facilities in their own country, or the cost of treatment in their own country is very high. There is a third reason too – the patients’ own country has the facilities, and the costs are not prohibitive, but the waiting period may be very long. This is particularly true for several developed nations.

WE GET 50 TO 60 FOREIGN PATIENTS EVERY MONTH

While we do not get patients from Europe or the US, the city does attract a large patient population from the Middle East and Africa. Around 18,000 students from countries in those regions are in Pune for their education, thus acting as catalysts for those who choose to get their medical treatment here.

Our hospital has a special foreign patients’ facilitation centre, wherein we get around 50 to 60 patients in a month. Over the years, there has been a significant growth in our foreign patients’ footfall, leading to a rise in our revenue generation by 20-25 per cent.

The Ruby Hall Clinic provides multiple services like diagnostics, consultation, specialty treatment in cancer, joint replacement, IVF and gynaecological endoscopy, cosmetic surgery, spine surgery, kidney transplant and dialysis.

It is quite surprising that despite the poor air connectivity of the city, the number of patients is on the rise. Many factors are responsible for this phenomenon – a pleasant climate, lower cost of treatment (difference of a couple of lakh rupees) as compared to metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, and the fact that it is a relatively peaceful city. Since patients save a good amount in treatment, expenses for travel, food and stay facilities for relatives can be managed in a better way.

We also provide interpreters for foreign patients and their families, to avoid any miscommunication. Moreover, patients can avail our pick-up and drop facility from the Mumbai international airport. Better air connectivity for the city would definitely help us increase the scope of our operations. We also have a currency exchange service, a facility for local cellphones and SIM cards, and a guide for travel, sight-seeing and shopping. The historical structures in the city serve as an added attraction.

Sachin Dandawate, Deputy GM (Projects - Operation), Ruby Hall Clinic

WE MAKE THEM COMFORTABLE TOO

The medical tourism segment is mostly concentrated in the ‘cold surgery’ areas, which don’t require immediate attention. These areas include paediatrics, orthopaedics (spine surgery, joint replacement), infertility-IVF. Thus, the visits can be planned in advance after which the process of treatment is initiated.

Most of our foreign patients are from Iraq, Oman, Nigeria and Zambia. While a majority of patients come to us for orthopaedic treatment, we also get some paediatric cases. The incidence of genetic disorders is very high in the Middle East because of the practice of ‘Consanguinity’ (marriage within the community) followed there. Children born out of such intra-community marriages are more prone to genetic disorders.

Apart from the treatment facilities, we also provide interpreters who visit the patients twice a day. Most of these patients don’t speak English, so interpreters who are proficient in Arabic are imperative for us. In addition, they also have specific requirements with regard to food, so we provide cooking facilities to the relatives. We have made a provision for Arabic channels on television sets fitted in patients’ rooms too.

Dr Amita Phadnis, Director, Oyster and Pearl Hospitals

COST OF TREATMENT IS ALMOST 40 PER CENT LESS IN PUNE

Besides Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, Pune has emerged as a destination for multi-specialty healthcare over the last five years. Well-equipped hospitals, quality and low cost of treatment, inter-connectivity with Mumbai and facilities that are on a par with the international standard have expanded the scope of medical tourism. 

At Sancheti Hospital, we have a Department of Overseas Patients, which handles an average of 250 patients annually. Most of the patients come from Middle East and African countries like Oman, Yemen, UAE, Iraq, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria. Very few patients are from the US and UK.

There has been a 10 per cent increase in medical tourism during the last five years. Patients come to us for all types of orthopaedic surgeries, including total knee and hip replacement, scoliosis, injury and trauma cases, simple and complex fractures and other spine-related problems. Currently, we have seven patients from the Middle East. As most of the patients are Arabs and don’t speak English, we have provided Arabic interpreters, who are available 24 hours in rotation. The hospital has tied up with three restaurants for Arabic food. We also arrange free sight-seeing sessions for relatives of the patients, once or twice a month. There is also a common prayer room for them.

The cost of the treatment in Pune is almost 40 per cent less than other countries. For example, the knee replacement surgery, which costs $9,000 in Middle East countries, would be done in $4,000 here. However, it is the quality of treatment that matters the most. Middle East countries have good infrastructure but lack the expertise. That’s why they prefer Pune.

Moreover, any difficulties regarding the visa, passport and submission of ‘C’ form are settled by us. There is a tie-up with the Oman government. Some patients are referred by their government, while some are referred by relatives or foreign students who are studying here. For further follow-ups, the patient doesn’t need to come , as we send our doctors there.

Dr Parag Sancheti,

chairman, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

OMAN DOCS RECOMMENDED PUNE

Nasir Alrashdi of Oman, older brother of neurology patient Khalid (23), said that two years ago, a healthy Khalid had a sudden attack of fits while driving his car. “His brain got severely damaged and now he is paralysed with no control over his limb movements,” he added.

Nasir brought his kid brother to Pune for treatment, as a last resort. “When Khalid suffered the attack, we did not know what had happened. Gradually, we saw that his condition was deteriorating. We took him to Chennai for treatment, but got no results. Disappointed, we went back to Oman. Just when we were running out of options, we were informed about the facilities in Pune. So, now we have come to Ruby Hall. It is our last hope,” said Nasir, with the help of interpreter Sayed Akbar.

The doctors in Oman had assured Nasir of good treatment facilities in Pune. “We never thought that a healthy, young man would land up bedridden within a few moments. Life has come to a standstill for us. The overall situation here is good. The results from various tests will actually reveal the extent of recovery,” said Nasir.

I HOPE PUNE DOCS CAN HELP

Al Bakri Nasser (73) of Oman has been suffering from ‘Diabetic foot’. “There is no pain, but the doctors are saying the disease is getting aggravated and it’s already too late. I have come here because of the lack of expertise in my country. The Consulate General of Oman in Mumbai recommended Sancheti Hospital to me,” he said.

TREATMENT IS SATISFACTORY

Al Shukaili Qasim Rashid Sulaiman, also hailing from Oman, has a spine problem. “Doctors say it was due to wrong eating habits and excessive driving. The government of Oman referred me to Sancheti Hospital. After surgery, there is a slight relief from the pain. I find it very noisy here, but I am satisfied with the treatment and medical services offered.”

WE ARE HERE FOR EXPERT OPINION

Philip Adebayo of Nigeria has brought his relative Sule Aminat to the city for treatment for an abdominal obstruction. “Back home, doctors suspected Aminat to be suffering from cancer. We were worried. We wanted expert opinion on her health status. That’s when our family doctor suggested that we get her to Pune. So, we have come to Ruby Hall for treatment,” said Philip.

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