Stitching A Unique Medical Tourism Package

With medical tourism fast becoming popular in the Asian sub-continent, Swadesh International, a newly formed company, has embarked on a unique journey. Bhisham Mansukhani speaks to the man behind Swadesh International, Dr Viral Patel, an India born dental surgeon based in US.

Though medical tourism is considered to be the most prominent among the areas of tourism potential, how well do you think India has reacted to it?

Medical tourism is being considered to be a US$3 billion market by 2012 and more and more people are joining the bandwagon. But the Indian government is not doing much to actively promote this segment in a more matured and focused manner. Out of all the states, Kerala is showing lot of interest and is prepared to provide all the necessary help. But the central government has to get more involved.

You have floated a company named Swadesh International, which has several unique aspects to it. Could you elucidate on them?

India has tremendous talent in the medical arena, but the hospitals are still not up to the mark. There is not much being done to bring foreign patients into the country. There were some players who tried to do just that, but failed very badly. People from around the world are not going to jump to your proposal. You have to create the right confidence for that.

Swadesh International is a medical tourism company, offering its services on a global scale. The company is unique as it works both ways, from India and abroad. We have created a panel of 100 specialised doctors in the US, who will have records of their patients and who can then work directly with the doctors in India.

Swadesh International will also be doing philanthropic and charitable work in both countries, through its benevolent division attached to every office in India, providing dental and other basic medical care free of charge for the less fortunate.

Where are you setting up your offices?

We are setting up a prototype office in Baroda followed by two more by August 15, 2006 in Mumbai and Goa.

According to you, how huge is the market in the US, which can be diverted to India for medical tourism?

There are almost 40 million uninsured people in the US. In Chicago alone, there are about 40 per cent people without medical insurance, which in itself is a huge market. Through both the panel in the country and the US, the cost reduction is huge. Swadesh International will coordinate the trip from the US to India and back, will insure the patient and will be with him throughout.

Which hospitals have you tied-up with in the country?

We have signed contracts with Apollo, Indraprastha, LaserX, Rotanda Clinic Centers, Escorts and even have exclusive contracts with Kairali Ayurveda. We are also in talks with Max Heart Institute, Madras Medical Mission, Prince Ali Khan Hospital, Wockhardt Hospital and Thyrocare.

Do you plan to have other companies along with Swadesh International in the country?

While Swadesh International will be the parent company, it will have six under it viz., American Smiles, American Vision Centre, Ayurvedic Centre, American Medical Referrals, Health First and I Wanna Be Doc, which will facilitate medical and dental seats for NRI and foreign students.

Which tour operators have you identified for travel packaging?

We have signed contracts with Cox & Kings and TCI for ground handling of the travel packages.

What is the kind of investment set aside?

We are looking at investing about Rs 10 crores in the initial phase, with more outlets at Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Chennai and Bangalore.