Quality affordable healthcare should be available to all: CM

A three day International conference on health tourism began here today with a call by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to ensure that quality healthcare within affordable means is available to all.
"We can't have islands of health tourists in the midst of large masses of our own population not getting even minimum healthcare. Good health is a necessity and a crucial factor to reach greater heights socially,economically and politically. We have decided to ensure a Right to Health for all. This means access to quality healthcare within affordable means," he said.
Kerala can become the hub and most preferred destination of health tourism, he said, adding that since this was a highly competitive field needing upgradation, there was need to draw a balance.

Though the state has highly qualified doctors, nurses and best hospitals, it has to be developed as a brand for health tourism destination, Chandy said.
Kerala has adopted a proactive role in promoting tourism and health services. The state has vast potential to provide all types of health services, be it allopathy, ayurveda or homeopathy and could be the hub and one of the most preferred worldwide destinations for health tourists, he said.
Industries minister P K Kunhalikutty urged the medical fraternity to come up with definite proposals which government would consider, like a single window system in the sector.

Tourism minister A P Anil Kumar said Kerala is the fastest growing tourism destination in India. Last year, 10 lakh foreign tourists visited the state and one crore domestic visitors.
An exhibition of medical equipment is also being held.
The conference would highlight emerging trends, opportunities and challenges in the Indian health tourism space, discuss preparedness of Indian hospitals and will be a congregation of major hospitals, health insurance companies, policy makers, tourism promotion boards, hotels and resorts, health travel and tour operators and international institutions for promotion of health tourism.