INDIA: Providing Quality Medical Treatment of US and European Patients in India

Plugging the shortage of qualified nurses in the US NEW DELHI (Asia Times), October 8, 2005: India has been trying to push gains in the medical field‚ especially medical tourism. The government sees health care as a growth industry and has been extending tax and custom benefits‚ including on the importation of medical equipment. The Indian health–care industry, valued at $17 billion, is growing 10% each year. It is expected to reach $60 billion by 2012. India can earn more than $2 billion a year from health–care tourism alone. India expects a rising demand for nurses in the US. The requirement for nurses in the US is estimated to be more than 250‚000. The pay packets can range from a healthy US$45‚000 to $65‚000 annually‚ along with eligibility for a Green Card and perks at par with US nurses‚ including a three–day work week. More than 40‚000 Indian doctors work in the US where they are known for their efficient work. The medical field is one arena where synergies are being worked out between India and the United States. There are several streams: providing cheaper and quality medical treatment of US patients in India‚ plugging the shortage of qualified nurses in the US and outsourcing work such as medical transcription. The US Senate is looking at a proposal to create a new W visa category‚ which will allow temporary workers into the US to take jobs that cannot be filled from within the country. New Delhi too is looking at a proposal to allow 12–month visas to patients from Europe and the US‚ in a bid to encourage foreigners looking for cheaper but quality treatment in India. The idea of even longer–duration visas has also been mooted as it is felt that old–age care‚ as well as looking after patients who require medical attention over a longer period of time‚ is a more lucrative proposition. The W–visa will require foreign workers to return to their country of origin after two years and re–apply. Organizations such as the Nurses for International Exchange in the US have been pushing for legislation to make visas to nurses easily available. The demand for nurses is due to demand–supply factors within the US. Government–aided as well as private Indian universities churn out more than 20‚000 doctors and 30‚000 nurses a year. To qualify in the US‚ a nurse has to pass exams and appear for a screening test and interview before being recruited. With more than 40‚000 Indian doctors in the US who are known for their efficient work‚ the impression of Indians being good medical practitioners helps in the hiring process. India has been trying to push gains in the medical field‚ especially medical tourism. The government sees health care as a growth industry and has been extending tax and custom benefits‚ including on the importation of medical equipment. The Indian health–care industry is valued at $17 billion‚ 4% of India's gross domestic product (GDP)‚ and is growing at more than 10% each year. It is expected to reach $60 billion by 2012. A joint study by the Confederation of Indian Industry lobby and McKinsey consulting indicates that by 2012‚ India can earn more than $2 billion a year from health–care tourism alone. The cost advantage to patients can be quite a bit‚ often less than 20% of the price abroad. The average cost of cardiac surgery at the best hospital in India is $6‚000. Open–heart surgery in the United Kingdom can cost more than $20‚000‚ while it's double that in the US. A single tooth filling costs $10 in India against $300 in the US. Some doctors have tied up with travel agents. Now‚ tourists are given the option of a stop–over at a clinic in case they want to avail of treatment. The travel package is accordingly customized. With the money coming in‚ Indian doctors suitably upgraded their clinics to meet international standards.