Punjab govt, IMA’s medical tourism project gathers steam

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Chandigarh: The ambitious project of Punjab and Indian Medical Association (IMA) in the state and in Chandigarh to promote medical tourism may finally see light of the day.

The fate of the project has remained uncertain for the past three years due to bureaucratic hurdles.

The tourism department of the state along with Punjab chapter of IMA has started the process to prepare an ambitious roadmap to promote the medical tourism in the state, which is known for its large non-resident Indians (NRI) base too.

There is a move to form a society for promotion of medical tourism in the state and in Chandigarh. The society will offer quality healthcare facilities coupled with tourism attractions projecting Punjab and Chandigarh on international level.

Sharing more details with FE, secretary-cum-director, tourism and cultural affairs, Punjab , D P Reddy said, “The project is still in its initial stages and we have sought response from the healthcare industry. A detailed strategy is being worked out.

A comprehensive package can be offered in partnership with health providers, which will provide facilities like flights, hotels, medical treatment and post treatment vacations. Proper marketing will be carried out to project our state and Chandigarh as medical tourism destination in other countries. Moreover, an interactive website will be created, which will offer relevant information of healthcare facilities in the state along with the success stories in the field of medical care”.

A proper mechanism will be put in place to assist the patients from abroad in a bid to convert Punjab and Chandigarh into global health destination. Moreover, the society will also form committees and sub-committees for fulfiling its aims”, he added.

Commenting on the scope of medical tourism in the state, Amrik S Arora from Indian Medical Association, Punjab chapter said, “The state and Chandigarh carry an immense potential for medical tourism. World-class medical professionals, state-of-the art diagnostic and treatment facilities, both in the medical and surgical fields are in place in cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana , Jalandhar and Chandigarh .