Speaking at the launch of Heal in India by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. in India at the Indian Pavilion, EXPO 2020, Dubai, Dr. Azad Moopen- Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare emphasized India’s potential to emerge as a destination for both illness and wellness care. Key points from his speech:

Quality control should be made mandatory by Central and State Government to cater to international patients: Medical tourism to India is supported by the fact that people who are visiting India for their medical needs have huge confidence in the expertise of the doctors. However, the government of India, both state and central, should set up a panel to only allow foreign patients to hospitals with accreditations like NABH and JCI. This will definitely help in improving the standard of care and we can avoid any criticism.

Partnerships and collaborations with international governments and insurance bodies to bring patients to India: Medical Value Travel to India is gaining credibility due to availability of expertise and cost benefits as well as the comprehensive care that Indian hospitals provide. This needs to be highlighted more across geographies from where India is likely to get patients: SAARC countries, GCC and CIS countries.

India has the unique advantage of emerging as a destination for illness and wellness care: Providing comprehensive healing experience through traditional Ayurveda combined with top-notch medical & clinical expertise at attractive prices.

Healthcare providers from India can serve patients around the world through effective use of Digital health technology: India has the potential to emerge as the Knowledge Process Outsourcing Center by providing digital health services beyond telemedicine, like Tele-radiology, Tele-pathology, remote ICU monitoring. The future of healthcare would be in remote services, through the use of technology. Robotic surgeries are a good example. In the next 10 years, doctors sitting in India can expect to operate on a patient in Africa through remote cutting-edge technology.

Heal in India campaign should be leveraged through roadshows across potential international markets: Public and private players should come together, alongside Govt. of India and Ministry of Tourism to showcase India’s capabilities in MVT.

Aster DM Healthcare is the only healthcare player from UAE to be listed at the India stock market. Originated in UAE in 1987, Aster has emerged as one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in India and GCC with 455 facilities across 7 countries, namely 27 hospitals, 126 clinics/labs and 302 pharmacies1, serving around 20 million patients annually. In India, with the roll-out of 77 Aster branded pharmacies1, 9 Aster Labs, Aster Clinics and Aster Home Care, in addition to the 14 hospitals, the organisation is fast expanding its integrated care network across 5 States.