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Medical Tourism | ABC News | Jeff Schult

India: A medical tourism Hub

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing operation in India

Mr. Henry Stevens is a professional polo umpire, horse trainer and polo manager who lives south of London. He had been suffering from severe pain and lack of mobility in his right hip, making it at times, impossible for him to “swing a leg” over a horse — an obvious requirement for his profession.

Through a series of x-rays, it was shown that his hip joint had deteriorated, yet the hip bone was “excellent” making him an ideal candidate for the “Birmingham Hip Resurfacing” operation. The NHS told him he would have to wait 12 to 18 months for the hip operation; private treatment costs were estimated at £10,000, whereas in India he had to pay just £4,000 with no waiting time.

Mr.Stevens contacted Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai, for his treatment in India.  Wockhardt Hospitals operates a chain of super speciality hospitals,  with international accreditation by Joint Commission International.

Mr Stevens said:

“The main objective of our visit here was to get the best possible medical attention which means the best possible surgeon and the best possible nursing, physio-rehab and overall hospital care. The second requirement was to find the best medical services at a cost we could afford. Thirdly, we needed to schedule the procedure for a very specific time — the time between the two polo seasons: October.  All of the medical attention received has exceeded our expectations. Dr. Malhan is not only the skilled surgeon we knew he would be, but he instils in us total confidence and also has a personality (and a sense of humour) to delight. We are blessed with him.”

Patient story supplied by Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai, India.

Below is a video clip of a patient traveling to India for surgery. Planet Hospital was the facilitator.

Shoulder surgery in India

Mr Mark Carr, a paraglider pilot from the UK had been experiencing severe shoulder pain for several years but his x-rays kept coming back as ‘normal’ and he only felt temporary relief from the anti-inflammatory tablets and cortisone injections he was given.  When the consultant orthopaedic surgeon finally suggested an MRI Mr Carr was horrified that it could take up to 15 months (three months wait for a scan, one month for consultant’s diagnosis and up to nine months for operation) so he decided to look for a solution outside of the NHS.  A private quote for shoulder surgery in the UK was £4,000 so he looked on the internet for a more affordable alternative and discovered Dr Venkatachalam’s shoulder clinic in Chennai.

He said:  “The shoulder surgery in India cost just £1,200 so even including air fare, (approximately £450) it was a third cheaper and well worth it as just ten days after the operation the constant nagging pain had gone and I enjoyed his first full night’s sleep in a year”.  Mr Carr stayed in hospital for three days and was able to fly back to the UK straight afterwards, very satisfied with the service and his decision to get the surgery done in India. 

Patient story supplied by the Knee and Shoulder Centre, Chennai.

Medical Tourism in India on the News

The following video presents some testimonies of patients recieving medical treatment in India.

India is becoming a hub for people wishing to recieve excellent affordable private treatment.

South Asia’s most advanced Super Specialty Hospital