Health tourism increasing in Mangaluru

• 240 foreign patients treated in 3 years

Mangaluru: There are many prestigious hospitals in Mangaluru which are now seeing a rise in the number of foreigners coming here for treatment!  In this way, medical tourism is on the forefront in the city. In the last 3 years, more than 240 patients have visited the city for various treatments. 121 persons had visited in 2018-19. KMC Hospital in the city, A J Hospital at Kuntikana and Yenepoya Hospital at Kodialbail are the forerunners in attracting foreigners. Patients from developed countries like USA also visit the hospitals in the city for treatment.

The reason for foreigners to come to Mangaluru for medical treatments is because, other than Chennai and Bengaluru, good treatment is also available in Mangaluru. Along with that, the hospitals are equipped with the latest, HiFi facilities and good care takers facility to which foreigners give preference to.

240 patients treated in 3 hospitals

Of the patients visiting Mangaluru for medical treatment, most are from the Gulf countries. Of the patients who have been treated at KMC hospital include 1 each from Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Iraq, Kenya, Qatar, UAE, 4 from Bangladesh, 2 each from Yemen, UAE and 14 patients from Oman. 10 patients in 2016-17 and 16 patients in 2018-19 have received treatment here.

At A J Hospital, 10 out patients in 2016-17, 40 out patients and 15 in patients in 2017-18 and 43 out patients and 30 in patients from abroad have received different types of surgery and treatment. Most og these patients are from the Gulf countries.

At Yenepoya Hospital, altogether 68 patients from foreign countries have received treatment here from 2016-19. Of them 21 are from Somalia, 5 from Kenya, 21 from Yemen, 1 from Bahrain, 6 from Saudi Arabia and 8 patients from Dubai have received treatment. Of this, the patients were more in the 2018-19 year with 40 patients arriving for treatment.

1-2 patients from abroad have visited Fr Muller’s hospital at Kankanady for treatment in a year, while 5 persons have sought treatment at Unity hospital at Falnir in 2016-17.

Why best?

• Cheaper medical expense
• Quick treatment once the patient gets admitted
• Attention from senior doctors
• Friendly doctors

Display information

“Since the last 3 years the number of patients from abroad has increased. To further increase this number, information regarding the quality treatment provided by the hospitals need to be displayed at the airport,” said Dr Padmanabha Kamath, Cardiac Specialist, KMC Hospital Mangaluru

Health tourism is developing

“The city is opening for medical tourism. Patients are coming from Gulf and Africa. More foreign patients are coming to A J, KMC and Unity hospitals,” said Dr Sacchidananda Rai, Superintendent, IMA, Mangaluru Division

Article by Dhanya Balekaje translated into English by Aaron Dmello