India Hosts Health Tourism Summit

Speaking at the three-day event, Commerce Ministry Secretary Rita Teaotia estimated that by 2020 that sector could generate incomes in India worth nine billion dollars.

Medical tourism was initially focused on the most developed countries, but now it has moved to other regions such as Asia, Teaotia said.

Gaurav Gupta, Secretary of the Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Tourism of Karnataka, whose capital is Bangalore, explained the advantages of the territory.

Karnataka has 56 medical universities and 19 large hospitals accredited to treat patients from other parts of the world, he said.

The event is organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI).

According to FICCI, this country receives 500,000 foreign patients arriving each year in search of several treatments.

More than 700 delegates from 50 countries, including the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia, are participating in the meeting, which hosts more than 160 exhibitions on medical services.

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