Healthcare in India

The landscape of India's healthcare system has seen enormous improvement over the last ten years. Today, it is one of the country's most dominant sectors as far as income generation, and employment opportunities are concerned.

India is one of the world's most preferable places not just for employment but also for medical tourism. Not only does it boast the most state-of-the-art medical and diagnostic facilities and top-notch medical practitioners, but healthcare costs are also cheaper on this side of the globe. It comes with uncompromising expertise in the fields of cardiology, joint replacement, ophthalmology, and urology, among others. This system works for locals and expats alike, gaining a favourable reputation among foreigners considering expatriation in this country.

Healthcare Coverage for Expats

India is one of the countries that don’t have any universal or national health insurance. Currently, the private health sector is the primary provider of healthcare in India, and most medical expenses are either shoulder by the patient or by their private insurance companies. Indian healthcare policies and the lack of a public healthcare scheme have also paved the way for the private health insurance industry that is currently most favoured. Due to the massive generation of employment opportunities by the business sector, more people have been enjoying better standards of living that make health insurance policies more affordable for the middle class.

Visiting a Doctor

When seeking medical help, one is not likely to have a problem as there are many doctors in India. In fact, the country has become a top Asian medical tourism site due to the stellar performance of its medical professionals that are also quite fluent in speaking the universal language. The only people who may have some difficulty finding a doctor are those who live in rural areas. In the cities, there are many practitioners, and one may simply rely on referrals or Internet listings.

When planning to visit a doctor, one has first to decide whether to go to a private or public clinic or the nearest hospital in India. Aside from rural areas having few doctors, public hospitals may not offer the same quality of service as private ones. In private health facilities, equipment is more advanced and many medical workers, including doctors, speak English.

Hospitals in India

Expats will find many public hospitals in India but be mindful that some state-funded hospitals must be avoided especially those located in far-flung rural areas because of questionable medical and hygiene practices. The private health sector, on the other hand, is responsible for attending to the healthcare needs of nearly 63% of the households in rural areas and 70% of the families living in urban areas. Many people in India choose to go to private clinics and hospitals where the equipment, treatment and medical staff are of excellent standards. Expats are also strongly advised to seek help from private hospitals especially if they have a serious illness. Some of the most reputable hospitals in India are: