The emerging medical tourism services

Abstract

Prof. Dr. M. Azizur Rahman explores the global phenomenon of medical tourism, where patients travel across borders to seek specialized healthcare services such as heart surgery, transplants, or cosmetic surgery. He identifies India as a prominent hub for medical tourism due to its combination of advanced medical technology and low-cost services compared to industrialized nations like the UK and USA. The article highlights that India attracts approximately 150,000 foreign patients annually, primarily from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and China. While this sector boosts national income and generates foreign exchange, Rahman warns of potential "internal discrimination," where domestic patients in poor countries might face higher costs due to the influx of wealthy foreign tourists. He concludes that a thriving medical tourism industry can prevent "brain drain" by encouraging skilled physicians to stay and practice in their home country.