Madurai an Emerging Health Care Destination - Cheap, Best and Caring

Madurai is fast emerging as the destination for quality healthcare. And, at affordable costs too. Patients from as far away as from West Bengal visit the hospitals. The frequency of visits of Indian–origin patients from abroad, from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai, is also on the rise.

Advantage Madurai:

According to hospital sources, the cost of treatment is less in Madurai. A heart surgery is done just for Rs.1.25 lakhs, whereas, at Chennai, the same is done for Rs.2.5 lakhs. While an Angiogram is performed for Rs.13,500, the same costs Rs.30,000 in Bengaluru . In addition, there is a human touch and personalized service by senior doctors throughout. Major portion of the cost, anywhere is spent by patients on purchase of medicine but there is a definite 30% to 40% operational cost advantage to the patients at Madurai, the sources vouch.

Connectivity:

The increase in the flow of patients is attributed to the improving connectivity to the city through road and rail. The moment the Airport here becomes an international airport, which is planned soon, Madurai could as well combine healthcare and tourism in a significant measure, says a report from Confederation of Indian Industry. 'We see a good potential. Only thing lacking is an international airport', according to Dr. Pugalagiri Vadamalayan, Managing Director, Vadamalayan Hospitals (VH).

Mix:

The chemistry of the city is undergoing a change and a composite culture is in the process of evolution as the numbers of doctors from outside the State, serving in the hospitals are on the rise. There are quite a few visiting consultant doctors from abroad such as Canada, adds Mrs.Hemalakshmi.S., Chief Operating Officer, VH.

Evolution:

Patients from southern districts, earlier used to visit Madurai for treatment at the Government Hospital. The scenario has changed with the emergence of corporate hospitals in the last two decades. Apart from the Aravind Eye Hospital, known worldwide for eye care and Apollo Hospitals from Chennai, there are two home grown corporate hospitals –VH and Devadas Multi-speciality Hospital (DMH). The Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC), a charitable institution is run in a corporate way. The Iswarya Women Care and Fertility Centre (IWCFC), in the nearby Palani, is gaining in attention.

Distinction:

These hospitals have earned distinct recognition. Evolving over time, they have attained and set standards in patient care, academic and research and community development.

Source: iStockAnalyst/HinduBusinessLine