Medical Tourism in Kerala

Medical tourism also known as health tourism, medical travel or global healthcare, involves travelling to a foreign country for a medical procedure. This industry has been growing rapidly over recent years as more and more people seek faster or cheaper alternatives to the healthcare offered in their own countries.

Medical tourism has become a common form of vacationing, and covers a broad spectrum of medical services. It mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with wellness and healthcare. It can be broadly defined as provision of 'cost effective' private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment.

Medical Tourism in Kerala:

Medical Tourism is a developing concept whereby people from all over the world visit India for their medical and relaxation needs. The reason India is a favorable destination is because of its infrastructure and technology which is in 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. In recent years, Kerala has become one of the most favorable tourist destinations in India.

Kerala, called as "God's own country" is ornamental with emerald backwaters, serene beaches and lush green coconut groves. It is located in the southwest section of India. It has established itself as a prominent destination of world leisure tourism for its natural beauty and cultural assets.

Recently Kerala has attained a pride of place in the field of medicine. For many years Kerala has been offering Ayurvedic treatments. Besides Ayurveda, Kerala has now got experienced allopathic medical professionals and well equipped hospitals that offer treatments of western standards at an affordable price. In recent years, patients from western countries have started choosing Kerala as a destination for treatment of various diseases due to high quality services and lower treatment costs. Apart from providing high-quality medical care at low prices, the area is relatively easy to access and boasts of a temperate climate all the year round. Visitors will be able to communicate easily with their doctors and the public and will have the finest amenities available, both in the hospital and their hotels. In Kerala, medical tourism is growing at the rate of 30 percent each year. Kerala offers high quality, world class health treatment at only 25 percent of the cost of treatment in UK, USA and other European countries. The quality of medical treatment here is of world class, with many of the doctors holding western qualifications.

Many factors have led to the increase in the popularity of medical tourism in Kerala:

• Traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha are widely popular in the state, and draws increasing numbers of tourists.


• Incredibly competitive cost for packages of medical treatment and surgery compared to other countries.


• Well connected by Air from major medical tourism markets in the Middle East European markets and South Asia.


• The tropical climate of Kerala is best suited for any medical treatment and rejuvenation therapy.


• Cost of health care treatments is 60 -80% low


• Improving technology and standards of care.


• Easier communication with majority English speaking public


• World class Resorts & Hotels.