Maharashtra will set up a new Medical tourism promotion council to tap the potential of this lucrative sector, The Hindu reports.

The new policy will support tie-ups between hospitals and hotels, with the aim of attracting more international visitors to India for medical services, such as cosmetic surgery, dentistry, fertility treatments, and treatments for orthopaedic and cardiac-related ailments.

“Over two lakh (20,000) medical tourists come to Mumbai, but often a number of them arrive go to other states,” Valsa Nair Singh, Maharashtra’s secretary of tourism & cultural affairs told The Hindu.

“Our hospitals are world class and almost 80 per cent cheaper than those in the West. We have been trying for an Indian e-visa for medical purposes. We have to work with the medical education department, and tie up with hospitals and hotels,” she added.

According to Ms Singh, a large number come of Indian medical tourists come from the Middle East, and the state government is planning to visit the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai to market Maharashtra’s Medical Tourism facilities.

Source : http://www.traveldailymedia.com (image:ShutterStock)