Which one of the following statements is true regarding 'medical tourism' in India?
Which one of the following statements is true regarding 'medical tourism' in India?
Options
Correct option: A — Medical tourism refers to foreign patients travelling to India specifically to access good-quality but comparatively cheap medical treatment.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: selecting option A (tourists travel specially for availing cheap medical facilities).
Hint
Medical tourism = patients travel to India specifically for cheap, quality treatment — not doctors travelling abroad, and not incidental illness during travel.
Quick Oral Answer
Medical tourism means foreign patients travelling specially to India to access good-quality medical treatment at comparatively low cost — it is a form of trade in services.
Analysis & Explanation
Medical tourism is a growing service export for India and refers specifically to patients travelling for treatment.
Why Option A is correct
- Tourists (patients) from abroad travel to India specifically to access medical facilities and treatments that are of good quality but considerably cheaper than in their home countries — this is the standard definition of medical tourism.
Why the other options are wrong
- Options B and C reverse the direction of movement, describing doctors travelling abroad rather than patients travelling to India.
- Option D describes incidental treatment of a tourist who falls ill during an unrelated trip, which is not what 'medical tourism' means — medical tourism is purpose-driven travel specifically for treatment, not incidental care.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing medical tourism with a tourist incidentally falling ill and getting treated during an unrelated trip — medical tourism is purpose-driven travel specifically for treatment.
- 2Reversing the direction of travel — assuming Indian doctors travel abroad rather than foreign patients travelling to India.
Interesting Facts
India is among the world's leading medical tourism destinations, attracting patients mainly from West Asia, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia for treatments like cardiac surgery and organ transplants.
Medical tourism is classified under 'trade in services' in India's international trade, alongside IT and tourism-related service exports.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is the practice of patients travelling from one country to another specifically to obtain medical treatment, usually because it is of good quality but considerably cheaper than in their home country.
Why is India a popular medical tourism destination?
India offers good-quality healthcare, English-speaking medical staff and significantly lower treatment costs compared to developed countries, making it attractive for patients from West Asia, Africa and South and Southeast Asia.