International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 9, Issue 5, May 2018, pp. 984–991, Article ID: IJCIET_09_05_109

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=5
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

A CASE STUDY ON MEDICAL TOURISM IN

CHENNAI CITY
K.S. Beena
Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Bharath University, Chennai, Tami Nadu, India

Dr. D. Venkatrama Raju

Professor, Department of Management Studies
Bharath University, Chennai, India

ABSTRACT
Medical tourism is a process of travelling outside one’s own country for the
purpose of receiving medical care. The objective of this study is to study the factors
which are attracting the international patients to Chennai, to study the satisfaction
level of International Patients and to compare the cost of the treatment in Chennai
with foreign countries. This study was conducted in a corporate multi-super speciality
hospital at Chennai. Primary Data is collected using methods such as interviews,
questionnaires and observations of the admit patients in the study hospital for the year
2015 randomly. Sources of Data Collection – Paper based sources, Electronic
sources, Official or government sources, Unofficial or general business sources.
Keywords: Medical tourism, Chennai, International patients, inbound medical tourists,
Wellness tourism.
Cite this Article: K.S. Beena and Dr. D. Venkatrama Raju, A Case Study on Medical
Tourism in Chennai City, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology,
9(5), 2018, pp. 984–991.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Definition of Medical Tourism
Medical tourism can be defined as the process of travelling outside the country of residence
for the purpose of receiving medical care. Growth in the popularity of medical tourism has
captured the attention of policy-makers, researchers and the media. Originally, the term
referred to the travel of patients from less-developed countries to developed nations in pursuit
of the treatments not available in their homeland.

Ancient History- Indian Medical Tourism

Some might have difficulty in categorizing yoga retreats, Buddhist pilgrimages, and
meditation centres as medical tourism, but the unbelievable reach of India‟s healing arts is not

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 K.S. Beena and Dr. D. Venkatrama Raju

to be ignored. Ever since yoga‟s birth more than 5,000 years ago. India has enjoyed a constant
influx of medical travellers and spiritual students hoping to master and benefit from this most
fundamental and revered branch of alternative medicine. When Buddhism came along
roughly 2,500 years later, this only added fuel to the fire and helped position India as the
epicentre of Eastern cultural, spiritual, and medicinal progress. Not only is India one of the
world‟s oldest medicine tourism destinations, but it has now also become one of the world‟s
most popular ones as well.

Medical Tourism Industry Overview

The Indian healthcare market is Rs.15 billion and growing at over 30% every year. Indian
private hospitals are increasingly finding a mention in the travel itineraries of foreigners, with
the trend of medical tourism catching up in the country. If industry estimates are to be
believed, the sixze of the medical tourism industry stands at Rs.1,200 – Rs.1,500 crore
(Rs.12-15 billion) A recent CII-Mckinsey study on Indian healthcare says medical tourism
alone can contribute Rs.5,000- Rs.10,000 crore (Rs.50-100 billion) additional revenue for
tertiary hospitals by 2012, and will account for 3-5% of the total healthcare delivery market.
This is a huge, untapped market, not just for the theraoeutic medical torism llike ayurveda, but
also for curative treatment. India can lead the world in medical and health tourism since we
have a tremendious advantage with a large pool of skilled manpower and technological edge.

Why India?
The countries where medical tourism is being actively promoted include Greece, South
Africa, Hordan, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. India is a recent entrant into
medical tourism. The Indian government predicts that India‟s $17-billion a year healthcare
industry could grow 13 per cent in each of the next six years, boosted by medical tourism,
which industry watchers say is growing at 30 % annually. Price advantage is a major selling
point. The slogan, thus is, “First World treatment‟ at third world prices”. The cost differential
across the board is huge: only a tenth and sometimes even a sixteenth of the cost in the west.
India has a lot of hospitals offering world class treatments in nearly every medical sectr. For
long promoted for its cultural and scenic beauty, India is niw being put up on international
map as a heaven for those seeking quality and affordable healthcare. Analysts say that as
many as 150,000 medical tourists came to India in 2004. As Indian corporate hospitals are on
par if not better than the best hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc here is scope for
improvement, and the country is becoming a preferred medical destination. In addition to the
increasingly top class medical care, a big draw for foreign patients is also the very minimal or
hardly any waitlist as is common in European or American hospitals.

About Chennai
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu – a beautiful state in south India- is one of the fast
growing big metropolitan cities of India. Chennai has been the most visited city in India by
foreign tourists (since 2008), overtaking New Delhi and Mumbai with visitors to heritage sites
in Kancheepuram and Mahaballipuram and medical tourists making up the largest numbers.
In 2011, Chennai was ranked 41st in global top 100 city destination ranking, with 3,174,500
tourists, a 14 percent increase from 2010, This is up from 650,000 tourists in 2007, when
Chennai was the third most visited city in India by foreigners ranked after Delhi and Mumbai.
Tourists from USA, UK, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore had visited the city in 2007.The
city has golden beaches, inviting monuments, holy places and un obvious Tamil culture. The
city is the spice of South India that has been holding the secrets of rich flavour from time
immemorial. The city is now becoming India‟s health capital by attracting 45% of health
tourists from abroad. It can be stated that with large number of multi- and super-specialty

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 A Case Study on Medical Tourism in Chennai City

hospitals equipped with the latest medical equipments and facilities, dedicated doctors and
treatment expertise of international standards, all at a relatively low cost, Chennai is a real
gateway to health. The real gift is that many of these tourist destinations like mahaballipuram,
cove long, Tirupathi, Kancheepuram, Chidambaram, Vandalur Zoo, Dhakshin chitra,
Madurai, Tanjavur and Pondicherry are easily accessible from Chennai.

Advantages of coming to Chennai for Medical Treatment

Large number of multi-and super specialty hospitals equipped with the latest medical
equipment and facilities
Dedicated doctors and treatments expertise of international standards
Relatively at a very low cost
No waiting time
Fleuent multi lingual speaking staff
Facilities available for private room, translators and other tailor masw services.
Can combined with a holity/business trip.

Quality in health care

India the glorious country has found yet another way to contribute to the world through
quality health care. Now is the time when it is giving its best through quality health care and
medical tourism facilities. Increasing pressure on the medical facilities and the hike in the
purchasing capacity of the Indians and the foreigners visiting India has led to the recent
development in the quality healthcare and medical facilities.
The geographic conditions ad the increase in the quality healthcare services are all
conducive to boost the medical tourism facilities in India.

Importance of Accreditation
Obviously, you want to receive the best possible care that you can. When you stick with
medical facilities that have reputable credentials and accreditation, you can be reasonably sure
that they adhere to certain standards, medical codes, and professional ethics. Having
accreditation does not necessarily mean that your doctor or dentist is a miracle worker, but it
helps to weed out undesirable medical practitioners. In addition, many insurance companies
will not pay for medical services performed at non-accredited health care facilities.

Joint Commission International (JCI)

Joint Commission International (JCI) is the global arm of the US-based joint Commission on
the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO); the same body that certifies over
18,000 hospitals in the United States. Although JCI approval is not the only accreditation
available for medical tourism facilities, it is a fairly good benchmark to use when researching
foreign hospitals.
If you come across a medical tourism facility that doesn‟t have JCI accreditation, there‟s
no need to be alarmed. Many countries have their own accrediting bodies that put forth
standards and regulations that closely Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Wile ISO is not necessarily a health care accrediting body, it‟s importance that you stick
with medical tourism destinations here ISO has representation. ISO and its member
organizations help ensure that hospitals and dental clinics closely adhere to the strict
international standards that they put forth. In this way, you have a amuch better chance of
receiving optimal medical and dental care when you take your helath vacation abroad.

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 K.S. Beena and Dr. D. Venkatrama Raju

Access to Chennai
By Air: Air india and all other private /alliance flights connects Chennai with all major cities
in india. The nearest airport is Anna International terminal and Kamarajar Domestic Terminal.
By rail: The world‟s second largest railways under one management the Indian Railways
carries more than ten million people every day. Main Railway stations are The central railway
station, The Egmore junction and the Tambaram junction.
By Bus: The TN state Road Transport Corporation (TNSRTC) has a busy district service that
connects Hyderabad to every city, town and almost all villages.
Cost comparison: Preventive health Checks
Preventive Health Checks Charges in Chennai
Master Health Check $44
Executive Health Check $85
Cardiac Checkup $135

Procedure charges in Chennai and USA (US $)

Cost (US$)
Procedure
United States Chennai
Bone Marrow Transplant 2,50,000 70,000
Liver Transplant 3,00,000 70,000
Heart Surgery 30,000 9,000
Orthopedic Surgery 20,000 7,000
Cataract Surgery 2,000 1,550

Dental Procedure Charges between USA and Chennai

Cost in US ($) Cost in Chennai ($)
Dental procedure Top End
General Dentist Top End Dentist
Dentist
Smile designing - 8,000 1,000
Metal Free Bridge - 5,500 500
Dental Implants - 3,500 800
Porcelain Metal Bridge 1,800 3,000 300
Porcelain Metal Crown 600 1,000 80
Tooth impactions 500 2,000 100
Root canal Treatment 600 1,000 100
Tooth whitening 350 800 110
Tooth colored composite fillings 200 500 25
Tooth cleaning 100 300 75

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 A Case Study on Medical Tourism in Chennai City

Cost Comparision –Chennai Vs United Kingdom (UK)

Procedure United Kingdom (USD) Approx Chennai (USD) Approx
Open Heart Surgery USD 18,000 USD 4,800
Cranio-Facial surgery and skull base USD 13,000 USD 4,500
Neuro- surgery with Hypothermia USD 21,000 USD 6,800
Complex spine surgery with implants USD 13,000 USD 4,600
Simple Spine Surgery USD 6,500 USD 2,300
Simple Brain Tumor
USD 4,300 USD1,200
-Biopsy
USD 10,000 USD 4,600
-Surgery
Parkinson‟s
USD 6,500 USD 2,300
- Lesion
USD 26,000 USD 17,800
- DBS
Hip Replacement USD 13,000 USD 4,500

These costs are an average and may not be the actual cost to be incurred.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 To study the factors which are attracting the international patients to Chennai.
 To study the satisfaction level of International Patients
 To compare the cost of the treatment in Chennai with foreign countries.

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Data collection
This study was conducted in a corporate multi-super specialty hospital at Chennai. Primary
Data – Primary Data is collected using methods such as interviews, questionnaires and
observations of the admit patients in the study hospital for the year 2015 randomly
Secondary Data – all methods of collection can supply quantitative data (numbers, statistics
or financial) or qualitative data (usually words or text ). Quantitative data may often be
presented in tabular or graphical form. Secondary data is data that has already been collected
by someone elsefor a different purpose. For example- data supplied by a marketing
organization, Annual hospital reports, Government statistics.
Sources of Data Collection – Paper based sources, Electronic sources, Official or
government sources, Unofficial or general business sources.

4. FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Specialty wise International Patients received treatment in study Hospital –
(2007)
No. of
Sr.No. Specialty
Patients
1 Cardio-Thorasic Surgery 38
2 Plastic Surgery 49
3 Ophthalmology 58

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 K.S. Beena and Dr. D. Venkatrama Raju

4 Gynecology & Obstetrics 09

5 Orthopedics 68
6 Surgical Gastroenterology 38
7 Laparoscopic Surgery 49
8 Health check 60
9 Kidney Transplant Surgery 00
10 Oncology 62
11 Dental 32
TOTAL 463

From the above data we can say that the international patients are coming to Chennai to
get the world class treatment at negligible cost without any waiting time by the world class
western qualified and trained Doctores for the major health issues and tourism. There is more
demand for Orthopedics, Opthalmology, Plastic surgery, Cardio-thoracic and Oncology
surgeries as these re the most expensive surgeries in their countries with more waiting time.

Nationality wise International Patients Received Treatment in Study Hospital

(2007)
Sr.No. Country Name Number Of Patients
1 NRI-USA 31
2 NRI-UK 32
3 KSA 78
4 UAE 82
5 Tanzania 63
6 Nigeria 38
7 Ethiopia 53
8 Kenya 32
9 Afghanistan 12
10 Uganda 36
11 China 06
TOTAL 463

From the above data we can say that the Non-Residents- Indians from the developed
world and from the Arab Countries and African Countries Chennai is getting good number of
patients in all specialities. Patients are paying from their own pockets to escape from the
diseases and the huge waiting time in their countries.

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 A Case Study on Medical Tourism in Chennai City

Satisfaction Level of International Patients Received Treatment in Study

Hospital:
Very Below
Sr.No. Services Good% Average%
Good% Average%
1 Medical Treatment 85.52 13.82 0.64 00.00
2 Medical Services 88.12 11.44 0.43 00.00
3 Nursing Services 88.76 10.58 0.64 00.00
4 Patient Service 88.33 11.23 0.43 00.00
5 Administrative Staff 83.80 14.90 1.29 00.00
6 Food And Beverage 77.75 21.16 1.07 00.00
7 House Keeping 85.74 13.17 1.07 00.00
8 Over All Facilities 87.47 11.66 0.86 00.00
Total 85.68 13.49 0.80 00.00

Interviews were conducted in the study hospital of the international Patients, who are
treated and those under treatment, in the conscious state of mind. This reveals that 85.68 %
patients rated the services provided by the study hospital are very good, 13.49% patients rated
the services provided by the study hospital are good, 0.80% patients rated the services
provided by the study hospital are average, 0.00% patients rated the services provided by the
study hospital are below average.

5. CONCLUSIONS
The following factors are attracting the international patients to Chennai India for treatment
and tourism

Cost Benefit:
The prime advantage is the cost savings with respect to medical consultancy or surgeries.
Many of the Chennai hospitals, serving international patients, have state-of-the art
infrastructure, highly educated doctors and top-notch services but the figure on that prices tag
is a fraction of what it would be in developed countries. Even if the patient‟s insurance does
not cover the costs of treatment in India, the final bill in an Indian hospital would most
probably be lower than patient‟s out-of-pocket expenses.
Timeliness :
Another advantage is the possibility of getting immediate medical attention. There are no
waiting lists or delays to contend with, due to insurance issues or unavailability of doctors etc.
Quality Health Care :
Chennai doctors and paramedics are well trained and one of the best in the world.
Personalized Care :
Here patients are monitored closely with a personal care of all age group.
Technological Sophistication :
All the corporate Hospitals in Chennai are having state-of-the-art equipment and
infrastructure for the best treatment and diagnosis.

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 K.S. Beena and Dr. D. Venkatrama Raju

Facilitation by Government :
The Government of India has recognized the economic potential of medical tourism. It has
facilitated travel by introducing a special visa category known as „medical visa‟ for patients as
well as introduced tax incentives for hospitals.
Ease of Travel and Communication :
Travel to Chennai (India) has become easier and much faster due to introduction of private
airlines. Access to internet in Chennai is considered to be one of the cheapest in the world and
communication facilities are well established. Travel agencies have a great online presence
and can offer you package deals that include travel costs, boarding as well as treatment costs.
Easy availability of Medicine and Drugs :
Certified drugs and medicines are easily available in Chennai, at comparatively lesser prices.
Modern & and traditional :
Modern medical aid as well as traditional therepy, such as Ayurveda, yoga, Naturopathy etc,
is available at different locations in Chennai.
Tourism Potential:
People, who come for relatively simple, but important procedures, can consider packing in
some travel too, with their doctor‟s permission. This is an added advantage. Every part of the
country is rich in history and diverse in geography.

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