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- Title
AMERICAN MEDICAL TOURISM IN INDIA: A RETROSPECTIVE HEALTH POLICY ANALYSIS.
- Authors
RIKKE, Sommerby; DESPENA, Andrioti
- Abstract
Background: Over the last two decades, the lack of coverage by health insurance and inaccessible health services have led patients from developed countries, in particular the US, to travel to developing countries with the purpose of seeking medical healthcare. The Indian government believed that this medical tourism would benefit the country and as a result a policy regarding the promotion of medical tourism in India was introduced in 2002. The aim of this manuscript was to conduct a retrospective health policy analysis of the policy, while incorporating American tourists. Methods: The policy analysis was based on a literature review. The policy analysis triangle and the Hall model were applied in the analysis. Results: The policy clearly stated that medical tourism in India should be promoted. The relevant actors in the policy process were the Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Indian Government, the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the private health sector and the health professionals in India. American actors were American medical patients, American insurance companies and employers. Contextual factors, that may have affected the policy process, were the situation of the population health in India, tourism and the indigenous traditional healthcare system of India, and finally, the growth of international trade in health services. The policy formulation lacked transparency and the policy was implemented through modernization of infrastructure facilities, the introduction of a new medical visa and tax concessions by the Indian Government. Conclusions: The National Health Policy 2002 regarding the promotion of medical tourism was influenced by several actors and factors. It was clear that medical tourism had numerous advantages. However, disadvantages do exist and should be considered.
- Subjects
INDIA; MEDICAL tourism; MEDICAL care; TOURISTS; HEALTH policy; INDIA. Ministry of Health &; Family Welfare; INDIA. Ministry of Tourism; PUBLIC health
- Publication
International Journal for Responsible Tourism, 2015, Vol 4, Issue 1, p33
- ISSN
2285-7958
- Publication type
Article