NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MEDICAL AND WELLNESS TOURISM
NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MEDICAL AND WELLNESS TOURISM
Why in News?
Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism.
About
- Medical & Wellness tourism may be defined as ‘activities related to travel and hosting a foreign tourist who stays at least one night at the destination region for the purpose of maintaining, improving or restoring health through medical intervention’.
- The main aim is to create a robust framework and synergy amongst the Ministries of Central Government and State Governments and Private Sector for promoting India as a Medical Value Travel (MVT) and Wellness destination.
- For better implementations a new National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board will be created as Minister of Tourism as its Chairman.
- It will provide a dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Wellness & Medical Tourism.
Advantages of the Medical Tourism
- India has world-class doctors and hospitals.
- The cost of the treatment is as cheap as compared to other markets.
- Cost-effective and affordable treatment options.
- High-quality medical care and treatment facilities.
- Immediate service.
- Well-connected flight and excellent communication services.
- Opportunity to travel.
- Traditional Healthcare Therapies like Yoga, Ayurveda & Naturopathy.
Steps taken for the Promotion of Medical and Wellness Tourism
- 'Medical Visa’ has been introduced, which can be given for specific purposes to foreign travellers coming to India for medical treatment. ‘E- Medical Visa’ and ‘E-Medical Attendant Visa’ have also been introduced for 156 countries.
- The Ministry of Tourism provides financial Assistance under Market Development Assistance Scheme to Medical Tourism Service Providers accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) for participation in Medical/ Tourism activities.
Schemes to promote Tourism
- Iconic Tourist Sites Initiative
- DekhoApnaDesh Campaign
- PRASHAD Scheme
- Swadesh Darshan Scheme
BEST IAS ACADEMY IN COIMBATORE