India's image issues 'do not reflect quality of healthcare'

9-Sep-2008

Images of India being a nation plagued by poverty do not reflect the excellent quality of its healthcare, an expert has said.

India is one of the most popular destinations for patients seeking treatment abroad thanks to its state-of-the-art medical facilities and highly trained doctors and surgeons, many of whom trained in the UK and the US.

However, Herb Stephens, co-founder and chief executive officer of Health Travel Guides, told the Women's International Perspective that some people are wrongly put off travelling to India for medical tourism because of its image as a poor nation.

"Some countries have image issues that extend erroneously to assumptions about healthcare. For example, India is a country with a very large population that includes a very large and visible segment of poor people," he explained.

"Many Americans see media examples of this poverty and erroneously assume that good healthcare must not be available. It's a definite issue that international healthcare providers have to work to overcome."

However, Mr Stephens noted that, for medical tourists who do venture to India, any prejudice is rapidly dispelled and visitors are stunned by the quality and modern nature of the facilities, medical professionals and equipment.

Visitors to India can also enjoy the country's mountains, tropical coasts and desert regions after they have recuperated.