India As A Medical Tourism Destination: A Case Study Of Ahmedabad City

Abstract

Medical tourism has not seen similar opportunities for growth across Indian cities. In spite of emerging research on the topic, there exists a lack of studies on medical tourism in cities like Ahmedabad. This study aims to analyse specific insights into India as a medical tourism destination, factors affecting the choice of city and hospital for medical tourists and challenges and opportunities for Ahmedabad city in the context of medical tourism. This study has collected data using in-depth interviews of foreign patients undergoing treatments in various hospitals of Ahmedabad. By analysing the interview data, we conclude that India has great potential as a medical tourism hub because of good healthcare infrastructure, quality care of patients, cost-effectiveness, experienced doctors, English-speaking staff, fewer waiting periods, etc. Family and friends, agents, doctors who have previously worked in developed nations, hospitals that have branches or affiliation with hospitals in foreign nations, etc., are the major factors affecting the choice of city and hospital for treatment. International patients coming to Ahmedabad face challenges related to discrimination, warm weather, non-vegetarian food, etc. Opportunities for Ahmedabad include a lower cost of living as compared to Indian metro cities, the possibility of optimum management of scarce but significant resources like blood, and the huge Gujarati diaspora across the world that can serve as a vital link for international medical tourism in Ahmedabad. This study provides significant implications for future researchers, hospital administration and staff, international medical tourists, government and policy-makers, allied service providers in medical tourism, etc.