New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry is all set to launch a new initiative – ‘Heal in India and Heal by India’ – a new portal that is likely to be announced by the Prime Minister (PM) on August 15 that aims to boost medical tourism. . Developed under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the portal will have a repository of healthcare professionals, hospital services to assist foreign patients seeking medical assistance in India. Along with two top-of-the-line health initiatives, the government’s immediate focus is to drive medical tourism in India through its upcoming one-stop tech-heavy portal Heal in India. Through another project, Heal by India, he wants to encourage Indian healthcare workers to go abroad and serve patients globally.Also Read – Not only vaccinations, the Co-Win platform will also be used for blood and organ donation Details here
What is under ‘Heal in India’?
Under Heal in India, through an online portal, foreigners or those seeking medical help can find a list of hospitals in the country available to provide medical treatment of their choice. Also Read – Digital Health Mission: Here’s how your Health ID will help maintain medical records
It will give details about the treatment package cost. They will also be able to apply for visas from a single platform. Hospitals and visa offices will be in touch with patients after receiving their request through the online platform.
“With Covid-19 seeming to be waning, the focus is on boosting medical tourism in India. We have the best hospitals, highly skilled doctors and cheap treatment. So what is stopping us from becoming the best medical tourism destination in the world,” a top government official told News18.com.
“This is a one-stop shop for all medical tourists planning to visit India. We will start it soon and if approved it will be launched by PM Narendra Modi on August 15.
What is under ‘Heal by India’?
Under the Heal in India initiative, Indian healthcare workers will be provided an opportunity to go abroad to pursue their professional goals.
The Ministry of Health has recognized 42 allied healthcare services that are eligible to use the portal and apply for jobs abroad.
Healthcare professionals only need to upload their achievements and CV with preferred locations.
For example, if a medical professional wants to move to the United States, the government will help him by providing a legal, national-level platform to upload a curriculum vitae (CV) and search for job opportunities in the country of choice.
And that profile is selected and he/she is offered a job through the portal in the country preferred over the Indian government, he/she will be informed about all the details of the whereabouts and security of the Indian citizen.
Indian Medical Tourism Index
According to the Medical Tourism Index 2020-21 by the Medical Tourism Association, India is currently ranked 10th among the top 46 countries, 12th among the top 20 wellness tourism markets in the world and fifth among the top 10 wellness tourism markets in Asia. Pacific region, the statement said.
The cost of treatment in India is 65 to 90 percent less than the cost of treatment in the US. In India, there are 39 Joint Commission International and 657 National Accreditation Board for Hospitals accredited hospitals, which are equal to or better than global quality standards and benchmarks, the statement said.
