Madurai is slowly, but steadily becoming the most favourable destination for many people living in countries like the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, Malaysia and African nations for medical treatment.
The patients are coming from far and wide for Ophthalmology related issues, dental implant and among others, according to the doctors.
Accompanied by at least an attendant or two, these patients stayed here for a week or so and then left for their homes.
What are the advantages of Madurai for these visitors. What are the challenges for the government to give better facilities for the foreign nationals. Will this help change Madurai as a hub for medical tourism….the doctors, their patients and attendants spoke at length with The Hindu on Sunday.
Around 1,200 to 1,500 patients come from abroad every year to get eye treatment at the Aravind Eye Hospitals for complex pathologies like congenital glaucoma, corneal disorders and complex retinal disorders. Common countries include Oman, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, Maldives, Malaysia, Ghana, Benin, UAE and others in the Asian region, said Venkatesh Prajna, Director and chief – department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Aravind Eye Hospitals here.
Some patients come by word of mouth referred by fellow patient beneficiaries while others are referred by Ophthalmologists from their countries. Most of these Ophthalmologists have had some form of training at the Aravind.
In addition to treating individual patients, Aravind has played a key role in training doctors and allied health professional in many of the African countries and Latin American countries, Dr Prajna said and added that the Aravind has provided significant training to Ophthalmologists worldwide. It is estimated that at least 15 per cent of the Ophthalmologists of Africa’s largest country – Nigeria – have been trained at Aravind.
In addition, Aravind also supports the running of the largest eye hospitals in Nigeria in Abuja, which is administered by the Tulsi Chanrai Trust. The Aravind physicians teach and train the Ophthalmologists in Africa which also instils a sense of camaraderie and friendship. This is also a reason for referring complicated cases to us, he said.
There is no additional charges for the overseas patients. Compared to the airfare and hotel accommodation, the surgical expenses and medical treatment are very less. For some complex cases, some of the governments support the cost of travel and treatment for their citizens to have treatment at the Arvind, said Dr Prajna.
Most of these overseas patients are middle class, not very rich and hence they are very grateful for these services.
Historically, Nalanda in Bihar was the knowledge capital for the world. A lot of Chinese students used to come and study in Nalanda. It was India’s contribution to the world. The current training program offered by Arvind is similar. It is India’s contribution to the world and also ensures a life long professional relationship between the medical fraternities of these countries and Aravind Ophthalmologists. It also gives the country’s ascent as a soft power to alleviate human suffering globally.
Patients, especially from Oman, are well informed by their counterparts who have had their treatment before. People who are looking for budget accommodation, choose smaller hotels around Aravind. Their favourite food place is Zaitoon.
A French national said “I am very happy with the care I received at Aravind Eye Hospital. Since then, I have been feeling well. My vision is good, which is why I have decided to come there very soon with my wife, who too has glaucoma, for treatment….” he added.
Patients who have come from Nigeria at Aravind Eye Hospitals in Madurai.
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A major advantage of having an Arvind trained Ophthalmologist in these foreign countries is also that they understand and follow-up protocols, which is as important as doing surgery. So, this cadre of locally trained doctors is also a big advantage.
These doctors are able to train the younger doctors in their own countries. So one doctors training starts a movement which would ultimately help local patients in their respective countries.
J. Kanna Peruman of Nala Dental Hospital here said that they received patients from Malaysia and the Middle East. After finalising the treatment, the patients share their travel plans with us. On arrival, the patient is screened for the implant procedure. In the next three to four days or so, the procedure is done and they leave back to their homes, he says.
Sharing their experience during their stay in the city, a few patients and their relatives with whom The Hindu spoke, were all praise for the food, the hospitality, heritage and the vibrant values of the ‘temple’ city.
A patient from Malaysia said that they had difficulty in reaching Madurai straight from their country. “We arrive in Chennai and take another domestic flight to Madurai or if we land in Tiruchi, we have to hire a taxi and reach Madurai. A direct connectivity here should be very helpful to this region, he added.
As for the treatment, Leung from Malaysia said that dental treatment happens at a very affordable price. Incomparable with their own countries.
Dave Wertz from Virginia, who is a sculptor, visited Nala Dental way back in 2018. After doing his dental implant again last year, he came and went to Thiruvananthapuram and Yercaud. He said the dosa varieties here at a city restaurant were delicious.
Arvin Authelsinh from Mauritius said that he landed in Bangalore and reached Madurai by a domestic flight. He was referred by a friend in his country. He stayed here for a week. “We did dental implant for him…, the doctors at Nala Hospital said.
After the procedure was complete, the patient had plans to go to Rameswaram and the Isha Foundation. Locally they visited the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and celebrated deepavali in Madurai. When asked to comment about his experience about local food, he said the Chettinad chicken and Idiyappam and a few other items were delicious and that the taste was unique.
Stephane , a patient from France. got a suggestion from his friends back home and wanted to visit a few of the shrines here and did his dental implant before leaving back home.
Travel Club, Madurai’s founding member and Hotel Fortune Pandyan Director G Vasudevan said that there is ample scope for improving medical tourism in Madurai. First and foremost, the airline connectivity should be available as it played a major attraction. From the patient point of view, travel should not be tedious and as far as possible, it should be comfortable. At least, to begin with the governments should take steps for direct connectivity from Malaysia and Middle East to Madurai.
He also suggested to conduct more familiarisation programs, road shows in countries like Middle East and other countries to show Madurai as a medical hub and not as a re-routed location from Chennai or other cities, Mr. Vasudevan said and added that doctors should be made as ‘ambassadors’ of the city.
Though the city boast itself to be second largest in Tamil Nadu next to Chennai, this is just a beginning for transformation for a better Madurai. Contribution from multiple stake holders in a unified manner would bring in more results, he summed up.
