Briton gets heart surgery done in city

A 72-year-old heart patient from Britain, George Marshall, underwent a coronary bypass surgery at the Wockhardt Hospital here on January 23. A retired policeman, he is now recuperating at the hospital. He landed in Bangalore on January 22.

The overstretched National Health Service of Britain often puts off non-emergency treatment requiring hospitalisation because of the long waiting list. Those who turn in frustration to private healthcare end up having to spend a lot of money.

"The cost is the biggest factor that draws patients from developed nations like Britain to India," said Vishal Bali, vice president, operations, Wockhardt Hospitals.

For Marshall, the total cost of treatment, including the cost of stay and travel to India, will be one-fourth of what private care in Britain would have entailed. The cost-differential brought Marshall to India though

Germany was another option he was considering, Bali said.

The quality of healthcare available in India has become a big draw for those from the First World countries wanting affordable quality healthcare. Qualitatively and clinically India is being seen by many as a suitable destination for treatment, added Bali.

Karnataka Tourism is now promoting Karnataka as a destination for those wanting quality healthcare at a reasonable cost. This is where specialist hospitals like Wockhardt come in.

Marshall is said to have e-mailed all his friends back home and members of the Association of Retired Policemen of United Kingdom of the quality care he has received.

"Bangalore's reputation as IT capital too is helping the city draw in the health tourists," said Mahendra Jain, commissioner for Karnataka Tourism and MD of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.