Medical tourism is becoming a common form of vacationing. In those days, people used to travel for site seeing but why most people go for a vacation is for refreshment. Hence medical tourism mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with wellness and healthcare.

For long promoted for its cultural and scenic beauty, Chennai is now being put up on international map as a heaven for those seeking quality and affordable healthcare. Analysts say that as many as 150,000 medical tourists came to Chennai in 2004. Known for its hospitality for tourists, the city has opened its doors to welcome with the same hospitality to the new generation of medical tourists.

The idea of the health holiday is to offer the customers an opportunity to get away from their daily routine and come into a different relaxing surrounding. At the same time, they also receive an orientation that will help them improve their life in terms of health and general well being. It is like rejuvenation and clean up process on all levels- physical, mental and emotional. However, a nice blend of top-class medical expertise at attractive prices is helping a growing number of Chennai corporate hospitals like MIOT, Apollo Hospitals lure foreign patients, including from developed nations.

The reason Chennai is a favourable destination is because of its infrastructure and technology which is on par with developed countries. Chennai has some of the best hospitals and treatment centres in the world with the best facilities. Chennai in fact has built health packages designed for patients, including airport pickups, visa assistance, boarding and lodging.

Another major reason is that the hospitals here not just perform surgeries but also offer complete packages tailor made to suit the requirement of each patient, be it accommodation, travel or even sight seeing facilities if the patient is fit enough. Some hospitals even have tie ups with seven star resorts where patients can go to recuperate from the surgery in a peaceful ambience and at the same time soak up the culture of the particular locality.

So yet another factor that Chennai can be proud of. This time holistic development through pure medical means!

SOWJANYA.S