Suneeta Reddy: 'Medical Tourism Is a Huge Market'
Episode Description
Medical tourism -- the phenomenon in which hospitals in emerging markets offer "sun, sand and surgery" at low prices to patients from North America and Europe -- is gaining in popularity. While India lags behind countries like Thailand as a result of airport infrastructure and other bottlenecks, health care providers such as Apollo Hospitals are expanding at 10% a year. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton at the recent Wharton India Economic Forum in Philadelphia, Suneeta Reddy, Apollo's executive director of finance, discussed the company's opportunities and challenges in this fast-growing market.
Brief Summary
Sunita Reddy discusses medical tourism growth, healthcare integration, and community initiatives in India during this episode.
Key points
- Medical Tourism Growth. Medical tourism in India has grown by 10% over the years, attracting patients from Southeast Asia and beyond.
- Community Initiatives. Apollo Hospital's 'Save a Child's Heart' program provides free surgeries for children with heart disease.
- Challenges in Healthcare. The healthcare industry faces challenges like skilled manpower shortages and high real estate costs.
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Episode highlights
- Medical Tourism GrowthMedical tourism in India has grown by 10% over the years, attracting patients from Southeast Asia and beyond.“High quality care at one-tenth the cost of the US.”1:36Jun 26, 2008
- Community InitiativesApollo Hospital's 'Save a Child's Heart' program provides free surgeries for children with heart disease.“We've completed 500 free surgeries and aim for 1,000 this year.”10:02Jun 26, 2008
- Challenges in HealthcareThe healthcare industry faces challenges like skilled manpower shortages and high real estate costs.“We need to double the capacity in terms of training colleges.”14:13Jun 26, 2008
Episode quotes
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