India has no parallels in healthcare when it comes to cost effective treatments in comparison with other countries. Significant cost differences exist among US, UK and South Asian countries. Add to it, the waiting time which is almost nil in case of India. After all, your health cannot be put at stake due to long waiting lists.

The American Medical Association has made a cost comparison study of healthcare in different countries. According to the statistics released by AMA, a knee replacement surgery would cost $40,000 in US, $10,000 in Thailand and $13,000 in Singapore, while the same surgery would cost the person $8500 in India. That gives India a certain edge when it comes to reasonable medical treatments. In addition, Indian doctors are renowned all over the world for their prowess and skills.

A heart valve replacement surgery would cost the patients $200,000 in the US and $90,000 in Britain while it would cost $12,500 in Singapore and $10,000 in Thailand. The same procedure in India would cost only $8,000. While a bone marrow transplant would cost $30,000 in India, in US it would cost anywhere between $250,000-$400,000 while in UK the cost would be of the order of $150,000. Doctors in Thailand would charge $3,500 for cosmetic surgery while those in US and UK would charge $20,000 and $10,000, respectively. But in India, it costs only $2000. No matter what procedure you undergo, you are sure to save 75% to 95% of healthcare costs. Besides, India is a great place to explore with rich heritage, architecture and culture. So you can always combine your treatment with a holiday.

Although costs in European countries such as Germany and Belgium may be less than that in the United States, but Europe is still more expensive than India. In fact, the data of AMA shows that India is the least expensive when compared to European as well as other Asian countries. Apart from the cost benefit, you will have the same sophistication in healthcare in India as available in any western country. Tour operators like Indian Holiday provide medical tourism packages at competitive prices and offer you a hassle free recovery from your ailments and a great holiday too!

So, if you are suffering and medical intervention is inevitable and urgent, and you are hard pressed to pay from your savings, India is the best option for medical assistance. Would you not go to a country where top-notch medical professionals provide care for a fraction of the cost?

Following cost comparison tables prove the financial viability of the Indian healthcare industry:

Source: AMA, June 2007

Source: Wockhardt Hospitals

*Disclaimer: Figures may change and therefore indicate an approximate value.