Rajasthan government is on its way to promote medical tourism in the state. For that it has constituted State Medical Value Travel Committee (SMVTC). The committee will frame policies and guidelines related to medical tourism besides ensuring effective implementation of the policies.
The chairperson of the SMVTC is the additional chief secretary medical and health while principal secretary tourism is the vice chairperson of the committee. Among members are principal secretary urban development and housing, secretary Ayurveda, commissioner bureau of investment promotion (BIP), mission director of National Health Mission, commissioner information technology and commissioner medical education.
Apart from that, vice chancellor of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), president of Indian Medical Association Dr Rajneesh Sharma, chairman of Mahatma Gandhi Medical Science University Dr Vikas Swarnkar and senior director of CII would be special invitees.
The director of public health will be the convenor of the committee.
Rajasthan perfectly poised for medical tourism
The SMVTC will promote medical treatment such as cardiac surgery, organ transplant, joint replacement, etc. It will provide wellness and rejuvenation as well, through cosmetic surgery, stress relief therapies, and cures through the traditional AYUSH system of medicines.
“There are a large number of corporate and world class hospitals in Rajasthan, which provides quality treatment at affordable cost. There are many hospitals which are equipped to conduct organ transplant operations also. Then there are several tourist places in the state which are tourist-delight. This makes Rajasthan a perfect place for medical tourism,” said a senior doctor.
According to data released by credit rating agency Crisil, the number of tourist coming for medical tourism in India in calendar year 2024 is projected to be 7.3 million. However, most of these tourists visit states like Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, Karnataka, TamilNadu and Kerala for treatment.
“Rajasthan lags far behind. However with renewed push in medical tourism and growing health infrastructure in the state, situation is likely to improve. In North India, Rajasthan can be an alternate to Delhi NCR as the desert state now boasts of good corporate hospitals like Fortis, EHCC, Narayana, Manipal and Mahatma Gandhi besides the state's largest hospital – SMS hospital,” the doctor said.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
