READ THE CASLET AND ANSWER THE BELOW QUESTIONS

The World Tourism Organization defined medical tourism as: Tourism associated with travel to health spas or resort destinations where the primary purpose is to improve the travelers physical well-being through a regimen of physical exercise and therapy, dietary control, medical services relative to health maintenance.

In the United States, an estimated 43 million people did not hold any health insurance and 120 million were without dental coverage. Patients in Britain, Canada and other countries had to wait for long periods for major surgery under the government free healthcare schemes.

The demographics of the developed nations and the issues of Aging across the globe were driving the growth of the Industry. In 2004, the baby boomers6 of U.S., were either at retirement age or were approaching it. The number of people aged 65 years and above was expected to double in 15 years. In the UK, the people aged 60 years and above formed 25% of the population in the next 30 years. Similar trends were being seen in almost all nations in Western Europe.

The National Health Service (NHS), in Britain was set up in 1948 which ensured free treatment to all its citizens. NHS was not able to provide timely services as it was struggling to cope with the shortage of both doctors and hospital beds. In 2001, more than 1 million British citizens were waiting for inpatient treatment and half-a-million for outpatient treatment. At least 40% of the people requiring inpatient care needed to wait over three months for their turn to come. Hip replacement and eye-care had the longest waiting periods. Apart from the patients from the U.S. and the U.K., a large group of patients from the Middle East were also seeking medical facilities that were either unavailable or in short supply in their own countries.

Patients from least developed countries and countries with generally poor medical infrastructure were also seeking treatment facilities, in their neighboring countries with better infrastructure. Apart from the non availability of facilities for treatment in their home countries, the motivating factor for medical tourist was the cost of the treatment. The cost of surgery in India or Thailand or South Africa could be one-tenth of what it was in the U.S. or Western Europe, and sometimes even less.

The benefit of flying across to another country or abroad for medical treatment was doubled when it was combined with a short vacation. The concept worked well for the tourist in the case of cosmetic surgeries for it allowed the patient the time needed to heal and entertain by visiting a new country. In many cases it was necessary for the patient to take rest after the operation or treatment had been given. The vacation period allowed the patient to relax and enjoy himself.

Answer the following Questions:

A. Summarizing the contents of the case, list out all the reasons leading to the growth of the medical tourism industry in India. (7 Marks)

B. Imagine that you are a 60-year old wealthy businessman from USA who requires replacement of both knees. You possess an adequate insurance cover, yet you have decided to get the operation performed in Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India. Discuss the probable factors leading to this decision. (8 Marks)