Healthcare facilities focus on international patients

In a bid to boost revenues, healthcare majors in the eastern region are wooing international patients with special offerings.

Leading players in the field, like the Calcutta Medical Research institute (CMRI), Medica Synergy Limited (MSL), Apollo Gleneagles, a joint venture between the Apollo group and Singapore-based Parkway group, along with BM Birla Heart Research Centre, are offering added facilities to these patients for availing healthcare options from the region.

R Barua, chief operating officer (COO) of Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) said, "We are expecting an increase of about 30 to 40 per cent in international patients this year, mostly from the UK, US, Italy and Germany."

CMRI would also be setting up a separate deluxe ward within the next couple of months, for catering to international patients.

Medica Synergy Limited (MSL), is expecting international patient traffic to touch15 per cent, this year, from neighbouring countries of Bhutan and Nepal.

Apart from offering advantages like shortening of bureacratic procedures it is also providing accommodation facilities as well.

A Roy, managing director of Medica Synergy, said, "We receive international patients from Bhutan and Nepal. This year, we are expecting 15 per cent."

International patients' traffic accounted for about five per cent of Medica's total turnover, which would be doubled comfortably this year, added Roy.

Suyash Borar, chief operating officer of BM Birla stated that the hospital had cut short lengthy procedures for international patients from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh and some African countries.

Apollo Gleneagles, a joint venture between the The Apollo group and Singapore-based Parkway group was also offering various facilities to its international patients.

Rupali Basu, chief executive officer of Apollo Gleneagles said, "Apollo Gleneagles Hospital provides International Patients' Desk, which takes care of the appointments, visa formalities, currency conversion, accommodation, and conveyance of the patients and their relatives.Provision of special cuisine, availability of interpreters and top-notch services are also being provided. A special custom-made short tour package can also be organized on request."

Apollo received close to 600 patients from Bangladesh, Bhutan, USA, Japan, Korea and the European countries last year, which might substantially increase this year.

International patients contribute approximately 15-20 per cent to the total revenue for the Apollo group.