Medical Tourism Facilities in Kolkata

Abstract

As the essence of medical tourism lies in the supply of quality medical services, destinations are working hard to strengthen trust and the security of its medicinal care in the mind of a prospective medical tourist. To attain a global benchmark in the healthcare delivery sector, the status of medical facilities, quality of medical staff, bed capacity, doctor–patient ratio, advanced medical technology, milestones in certain areas of care, presence of international standardisation and certification and other concierge services are continuously modified and upgraded. Considering the role of knowledge economy and competitive marketplace, ‘internationalisation’ of the local healthcare centre is a major characteristic of modern healthcare delivery sector. The practice of medical tourism has reshaped clinical spaces into international medical hotel space. Hospitals have expanded their functionality from a mere surgical institute to a luxurious centre of clinical excellence and coordinates all aspects of medical tourism demand from getting entry visa in foreign country to post discharge follow-up care in home country. At the same time, the internet has emerged as a significant tool that connects prospective consumers to its providers. A study reveals that Kolkata can no longer remain isolated from its counterparts. Being a part of the global medical tourism business, the city has been engaged itself in resource development to meet the rising demand of migrating patients.