00:00Now, the war has also hit India's booming medical tourism sector.
00:04Once a top destination for patients from West Asia,
00:07hospitals are now seeing a sharp drop in international inflows.
00:10And that's because the conflict has disrupted travel.
00:13Revenues across hospitals, therefore, are taking a hit.
00:19For years, medical tourism has thrived in India.
00:22Overseas patients from countries like Israel, Iran and the UAE.
00:26Well, the fallout of the prolonged war in West Asia is now being seen in Indian hospitals.
00:33Hospital chains are seeing a 50 to 75 percent drop in international inflows due to the Iran-Israel war.
00:41The drop in patient inflows has been seen from countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Yemen.
00:47Fortis Healthcare expects a 15 percent to 20 percent revenue hit for March,
00:52a sentiment shared across the industry.
00:54Our time is hospitals has already reported a 35 percent dip in revenue in its international segment.
01:01While the situation is worsened by widespread flight cancellations and closed airspace,
01:07which have driven up airfares by 15 to 25 percent and increased travel times.
01:13This is a setback for the entire medical tourism industry, whether it is India or European market,
01:20Turkey or even Southeast Asia.
01:23All the markets are getting equally affected.
01:26The medical tourism sector, valued at approximately 6 billion US dollars in 2022,
01:33is projected to surpass 13 billion US dollars by 2026, by the end of this year.
01:40India has emerged as one of the world's most sought-after medical travel hubs,
01:45thanks to its blend of advanced healthcare and affordable pricing.
01:49Medical tourism in India thrives for many reasons.
01:53First of all is the availability of humongous clinical talent across India,
01:59the great connectivity of Indian subcontinent with the rest of the world,
02:04and especially those developing countries where the healthcare facilities are already in shambles.
02:11Third, you know, the kind of quality care or excellence which is being delivered in India
02:17across various hospitals, it is available at a very affordable price,
02:22almost one-sixth to one-tenth of, if you compare with European or the American markets.
02:28The Ministry of Tourism says that medical tourism has contributed over 9 billion dollars
02:33to India's economy in 2020.
02:36Patients world over contribute to this industry.
02:39Well, my wife had an eye problem, eyesight problem, so we checked.
02:45We had inquired about the hospital in Delhi.
02:49We were taken good care of by the attendants.
02:55Kamenga from Zambia, I came here with my son, Emanoch Tengimuhanga,
03:01who's been battling with sickle cell from the age of six months.
03:05I thought of seeking a permanent solution, which is bone marrow transplant.
03:10So that's when I thought of coming to India.
03:12The experience at Fortis has been awesome.
03:15So how does the industry now intend to deal with this challenge?
03:20As the war is progressing and it is opening up newer frontiers,
03:26it looks like it is a very uncertain scenario at this moment.
03:30Although, as I speak, there are still many patients who are still travelling.
03:34Traffic has reduced significantly by almost 50%.
03:37But still, the critical illness patients are travelling.
03:40And I'm hoping that in times to come, both the sides will call a truce
03:48and they are going to allow essential services,
03:51including not just the oil transportation, but also the healthcare services.
03:56In New Delhi, Sneha Mordani for India Today Television.
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