The potential for cooperation between India and Africa in the health sector have been discussed during a seminar held here.
"There were immense opportunities for collaboration between the two countries in the fields of telemedicine, high-end medical tourism, pathology and diagnostics care, research, education and e-health," High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam said.
"Massive transformation in the healthcare sector has happened in India in the last couple of decades. India today is not only the pharmacy of the world but also a leading healthcare provider for the world," she stressed.
Referring to the recently concluded India-Africa Forum Summit, she stated that the Government of India, in addition to a Line of Credit of USD 10 billion to Africa over the next five years, has offered a grant of USD 600 million which includes a dedicated grant of USD 10 million for health cooperation.
The seminar was hosted by the Indian Consulate-General and the Gordon Institute of Business Science.
In this context, she noted the success of cooperation between India and African countries on telemedicine through the Pan-African e-Network established by India, which connects Indian centres of excellence with hospitals in Africa.
Leading health care providers Apollo Hospitals and Max Healthcare from India shared their experiences in bringing low cost healthcare to the masses, with South African participants expressing amazement at how such high quality treatment at private hospitals could be provided at such low cost.
Radhey Mohan, Vice President of Apollo Hospitals, said that his hospital chain was providing healthcare to patients from over 120 countries, including several in Africa.
"Apollo Hospitals has also trained over 200 doctors in Africa as part of its education programme," added Mohan.
Apollo currently has a presence in Nigeria and Mauritius in Africa and the company is in discussion with several other countries on the continent as well.
Anas Abdul Wajid, Director Max Healthcare, said Medical Value Travel, also known as medical tourism, was growing by 30 per cent growth annually given the cost and quality advantage that India provides.
"Over 120,000 foreign patients from US, UK, Africa and other developing and developed countries sought healthcare support in India in 2014," said Wajid.
Policy makers from the Southern African Development Community countries have already expressed an interest in inviting India to assist in their countries.
