Medical Tourism in Tripura: Issues & Opportunities

Abstract

Medical tourism in India has an immense scope, primarily due to the unavailability or inaccessibility of medical treatment in border areas of native countries, such as Bangladesh and Myanmar. Also, the significantly low cost of complex surgery and highly skilled doctors are the most significant factors for driving tourism in India. Thus, there is a vast scope for entrepreneurship in this area. On the other hand, it is being covered by lush forests, lakes, and hills. This study aims to develop a model to increase the population of outbound or international patients and their families for medical services. Tripura, being topographically easily accessible for patients from Bangladesh and Myanmar, can be commuted within hours. The study was cross-sectional, and a purposive sampling technique was used. The data was collected using a 5-point rating scale specifically constructed to understand the factors enhancing medical tourism. Various hospitals that provide medical services to domestic (other states in India) & international clients, tourism agencies, and relevant sources have contributed to this study.

Keywords:

• Medical tourism
• cost-effective
• entrepreneur
• healthcare
• development

Acknowledgement

We thank the doctors and staff of ILS Hospital, Agartala, Tripura for their kind support and help to fulfil this study and the participants who participated in our research.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

There is no funding received for this study.