Medical Tourism Council Of Maharashtra Launched

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

The Maharashtra government in collaboration with FICCI (Western Region Council) has launched the Medical Tourism Council of Maharashtra (MTCM). This council will operate as a nodal agency responsible for smooth operations in the medical-tourism sector besides promoting Maharashtra's health-care facilities and tourism attractions in India and abroad.

Digvijay Khanvilkar, minister for health, medical education and family welfare, government of Maharashtra, said, "The state has state-of-the-art medical facilities, hospitals and diagnostic centres, highly qualified doctors where quality treatment can be provided at very low costs when compared to treatments in the international market. We also have a strong tourism product in hand that can be utilised to the fullest with the help of various service providers such as hotels, tour operators etc."

Apart from medical and para medical service providers, the hotel industry would also be an essential part of this new venture. Says Sushil Jiwarajka, chairman, FICCI (WRC), "This venture has to be a combined effort from various service providers. Providing accommodation across categories for those visiting India for treatments with their relatives and friends would be essential."

A website dedicated for this project called www.mahamedtour.com was also activated at the inauguration function. Maharashtra-Medically Yours is the slogan coined for the promotion of MTCM.