With a boost of better connectivity and facilities, Tricity becomes a favourite medical tourism destination of patients from countries like Afghanistan, Yeman, Iraq and Nigeria, according to a senior doctor.

Connectivity of 39 daily flights from Chandigarh and 3 daily Shatabdi trains apart from almost zero pollution, no traffic bottlenecks, no crime, proximity to foot hills and various tourism hubs including Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Botanical Garden, Kasauli, Shimla, religious places like Mansadevi, Nadda Sahib Gurudwara etc, making the Tricity a favourite spot in medical tourism map.

Dr Gaurav Maheshwari, Senior Consultant and Head Surgical Gastroentrology & Dr Vinod Kumar, senior Consultant Orthopedics & Joint Replacement Surgery from Paras Super Specialty Hospital, Panchkula said addressing a press conference flanked by patient from Yemen Adel Hameed Ameen Alhomidy.

Dr Gaurav shared that in the year 2017 approx 5 lac patients visited India on medical visa for treatment and medical tourism industry in India is likely to touch 9 billion USD by 2020. "As Indian doctors are ranked as best trained doctors worldwide, our surgical outcomes are better/ comparable with international standards and the cost of treatment in India is almost one fifth on one seventh of cost of treatment in US or Europe," he added.

Interacting with media persons Dr Vinod Kumar, Senior Consultant Orthopedics & Joint Replacement Surgery said Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Iraq are top three contributors for medical tourism in India. Dr Vinod said there is huge cost advantage for treatment in India. The cost of Hip replacement which is around 57000 USD in USA is just around 7000 USD in India with the same Implant.

He said that with the recent reform in visa policy and visitors from most of the countries can avail E visa for medical treatment, which is now availed for period of 60 days with triple entry benefit, so now patients can even come back within 60 days on same visa for follow up after surgery.

He added that PARAS Super specialty has one of the best infrastructure and equipments which includes, 08 Modular operation theatres, 60 ICU beds, most advanced Flat panel Cath Lab, 3 Tesla MRI, 128 slice CT scan and Pentero Microscope for neuro and spine surgery.

Dr Vinod also said there are good facilities for ayurveda, yoga and wellness centres which can play vital role in rehab of these patients coming from various countries. He also shared that globally more than 25 countries have recognized medical tourism as their national industry to generate Forex and generate more employment.