Medical Tourism in Mumbai

Medical tourism also known as health tourism 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 Mumbai:

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 in 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. Mumbai is the hub of all medical activity in India.

Mumbai (or Bombay), is the commercial capital of India, a city of business and industrial entrepreneurs, concrete towers, glamor, cricket, Film Industry, clubs and more. The city, a cluster of seven islands, was named by its native Koli fisher folk after the goddess Mumbadevi.

Mumbai is one of the major players in the field of Medical Tourism, and the state has taken immense steps to promote healthcare and tourism in a major way. The State of Maharashtra and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has collaborated to form the Medical Tourism Council of Maharashtra (MTCM). Their mission is "To deliver 'value for money' health care with a human touch."

As to the Medical Facilities and Amenities in Mumbai, one can say that doctors and hospitals both are on par with International standards and are yet very cost effective compared to its International counterparts. The medical treatments are conducted by most competent doctors and at hospitals with world class Medical Facilities that are offered at low costs. State of the art hospitals along with the best qualified doctors are undoubtedly the best attraction for any patient to get their treatment in Mumbai. Apart from this, the cost advantage factor works like an Icing on the cake. Patients or tourists get to experience the best infrastructure, the best possible Medical treatment facilities, at the most competitive prices. Because of these factors, Medical Tourism Industry in Mumbai is booming at a very aggressive rate, leveraging its cost advantage and top quality treatments.

Advantage of Medical Tourism in Mumbai:

• Mumbai has a number of excellent hospitals and specialty centers like Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Center, Breach Candy Hospital, Wockhardt Hospital, Asian Heart Institute, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Center and Tata Memorial Centre, which have seen an increased influx of patients from abroad.


• Mumbai's geographic location makes it a very accessible hub for people coming from overseas. It has one of the busiest international airports in the world.


• The hospitals have collaborations with reputed medical schools in the US and UK, and access to international expertise and technology.


• Cost of medical treatments in Mumbai is 60-80% low in comparison to the developed nations.


• The hospitals have excellent facilities and the areas of expertise include Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Obesity Surgery, Oncology and other fields of Medicine.


• Hospitals are also teaming up with hotels and travel agencies to offer treatment and tourism packages to interested patients and their families.

Future Prospects for Medical Tourism in Mumbai:

Mumbai has seen a rush of health care providers setting up super specialty hospitals with facilities like air ambulance and shopping plazas. Hospitals are seeking recognition from insurance companies abroad, so that the patients can avail health insurance, as they would in their own country. Hospitals are also focused on receiving accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), USA, to ensure global standards in patient care, safety and quality of service.