KOCHI:
The seventh edition of Kerala Health Tourism (KHT) – the International Conference and Exhibition on Health Tourism, came to a close at Hotel Le Meridien, Kochi. The Summit organized by Confederation of Indian industry (CII) in association with Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) deliberated on the theme Kerala – an emerging Global Hotspot for MVT. International delegates from 9 countries (Bangladesh, Oman, Africa, Jeddha, Cambodia, Iraq, Maldives, Yemen, Uzbezkistan) took part in the two-day Summit.
Dr Harish Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, Aster Hospitals & Clinics, India in his concluding address, mentioned that a lot of hospitals have come up in the state. The state has 40 NABH accredited hospitals, 3 JCI and 3 Australian accredited hospitals. Kerala has an incredible value proposition and the state is at the inflection point when it comes to MVT.
Sessions on various topics were held as part of the two-day Summit. Aishath Mohamed Didi, Ambassador, Republic of Maldives in her keynote address talked about the civilizational connect between Kochi and Maldives. Abdulmalk Abdullah Al Eryani, Ambassador, Republic of Yemen in his keynote address said that India has been a major centre for treatment for Yemenis for the past 40 years.
3 Panel discussions on Clinical Excellence in Kerala: The Value Proposition, Health Insurance: A Key Catalyst to Promote MVT, Role of Healthcare Facilitator: Critical Link or Underbelly were held on the first day of the session. The session on Clinical Excellence in Kerala saw practitioners from various fields such as Cardiac Sciences, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Neurosciences, and Multi Organ Transplants share their experiences.
The important role that facilitators play in MVT was discussed in the session on Role of Healthcare Facilitator: Critical Link or Underbelly. Speakers emphasised the need for facilitators to acquire the needed accreditations. Speakers at the session on Health Insurance pointed out on the need to reach out and educate insurers in foreign nations to leverage the cost arbitrage offered by the state.
The second day of the Summit saw sessions on Role of Diagnostic Centres & Medical Equipment Manufacturers, Accreditation and Quality Initiatives in Kerala and Role of Holistic Medicine in Promoting MVT. The speakers noted that hospitals in the state have invested in technology.
The government is setting up a medical devices park in Thiruvananthapuram and Innovation centres are coming up in the state. The products and apps being developed there will help develop the sector in the state. The session on Accreditation and Quality Initiatives saw speakers share their experiences with the NABH accreditation process.
The speakers at the session on Holistic Medicine said that holistic medicine is the real X-factor for the state in MVT. Kerala is best placed to serve both the traditional and modern medicine markets. An exhibition on Medical Equipment Manufacturers and Medical Technology was also held as part of the Summit. Around 60 exhibitors from healthcare and tourism industry showcased their products and services at the exhibition.
