Why do Mauritians Trust India for their Healthcare Needs?

07 October,2024

Over the last decade, India has become a popular destination for medical tourists, owing to its highly developed medical system and affordable healthcare. In 2020-2021, India ranked 10th out of 46 countries on the Medical Tourism Index (MTI). India also ranked 12th out of 20 countries worldwide and 5th among the top 10 Asia-Pacific countries in wellness tourism. Patients from countries such as  Mauritius, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Oman, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Iraq regularly travel to seek medical treatment.

Diplomatic Indo-Mauritian relations were established in 1948, and the two countries share cordial commercial, historical, political, social, and cultural ties. India has acted as a "first responder" when Mauritius faced critical situations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India donated large amounts of medicines, Ayurvedic medicines, and vaccines to Mauritius. Pharmaceuticals are the main Indian exports to Mauritius. Annually, approximately 30,000 Mauritians visit India, mainly to seek medical treatment. This blog presents an in-depth analysis of why India is a popular medical destination among Mauritian patients.

Why do Patients Travel from Mauritius to India for Medical Treatment?

India's advanced and affordable medical facilities make it a top choice for Mauritian patients. Patients travel from Mauritius due to several healthcare-related factors and some supporting reasons, such as - 

• Superior Quality of Healthcare: The medical services in India are of the highest quality and comparable to international healthcare facilities. Moreover, several advanced treatment options and diagnostic methods are easily available. Thus, patients prefer to travel to India from Mauritius to seek medical treatment.
• Cost-effective Treatment Options: The cost of treatment is one of the most crucial deciding factors among Mauritian patients. Healthcare in India is not only well-developed but also available at an extremely reasonable price. For example, IVF treatment in India costs about USD 1,200 to USD 4,200, whereas in Mauritius, the same procedure may cost over USD 13,000. As a result, it is more feasible for Mauritian patients to travel to India to avail themselves of affordable medical facilities.
• Skilled Medical Personnel: Indian doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical personnel undergo meticulous training during their education. Several of them also obtain higher qualifications from renowned international institutions. Thus, Indian healthcare workers are experts in their respective fields and proficient in treating a variety of disorders. Mauritian patients coming to India for medical treatment receive the best possible care.
• Hospital Accreditation: Best hospitals in India adhere to stringent regulations set by international and national accreditation bodies like the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH). There are 55 JCI-accredited and over 1,300 NABH-accredited hospitals providing best-in-class medical treatment to Mauritian patients.
• Modern Infrastructure: India's healthcare infrastructure is robust and efficient. Hospitals have basic procedures such as X-rays and the latest techniques, such as robotic surgeries, in the same place. Mauritian patients can readily access these treatment and diagnostic options, making it more convenient for them to come to India for medical treatment. 

Other Reasons Why Mauritian Patients Come to India for Medical Treatment

• Convenience of Traveling: Air travel between Mauritius and India is quite convenient. The average flight time is just over seven hours. Several major airlines run over 20 weekly flights between the two countries, including direct flights. The Mauritian capital, Port Louis, is well-connected to Indian cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
• Hospitality and Cultural Affinity: Mauritius and India share many cultural similarities. A large part of the Mauritian population is of Indian origin. Indian languages such as Hindi, Bhojpuri, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu are commonly spoken in Mauritius. Citizens of both countries are also fluent in English. Due to the common language and cultural closeness, Mauritian patients feel welcome and comfortable in India.
• Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched the 'Heal in India' initiative to boost medical tourism. This initiative includes services that make travel easier for foreign patients, such as 'Medical Value Travel Digital Portal' and 'Champion Service Sector Scheme.' The Ministry of AYUSH has collaborated with the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to promote traditional medical practices such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
• Medical Tourism Facilitators: Several medical tourism companies in India provide services to Mauritian patients. These companies have end-to-end packages to make patients' travel to India hassle-free. Their services include visa assistance, choice of hospital, travel planning, hotel booking, doctor appointments, airport transfers, language interpretation, local SIM cards, and currency exchange.

Which Specialties are Commonly Opted for by Mauritian Patients in India?

Patients travel from Mauritius to India for various specialties and treatments, including - 

• Cardiology: Mauritian patients often come to India to seek cardiac treatments such as angioplasties, coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), and pacemaker implantations. Indian cardiologists are also experts in performing advanced procedures such as minimally invasive heart surgeries, robotic surgeries, and interventional cardiology.
• Orthopedics: India is one of the top destinations for orthopedic surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacements, shoulder replacements, knee arthroscopy surgery, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. Apart from routine surgeries, Indian orthopedic surgeons incorporate modern technology such as minimally invasive surgery, robotics, computer navigation, and 'smart' implants to improve the outcome of the procedures.
• Oncology: In Mauritius, prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men, whereas breast cancer is the most common in women. Therefore, cancer patients travel from Mauritius to India to avail themselves of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy at an affordable cost. Several of the latest cancer treatment options, such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), linear accelerators (LINAC), robotic cancer surgery, and CAR T-cell therapy, are also available in Indian hospitals.
• Neurology: Neurosurgeons in India are experts in performing procedures such as craniotomy, Chiari decompression, brain tumor surgery, laminectomy, and anterior cervical discectomy. New-age treatment modalities such as proton beam therapy, Gamma knife radiosurgery, and stereotactic surgery are also provided to Mauritian patients traveling to India.

Other Treatments Available for Mauritian Patients in India

Along with cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, and neurology, Mauritian patients also come to India for treatments such as -

• Fertility Treatments: Indian gynecologists and fertility specialists have been treating infertility with high success rates and at a reasonable cost. Therefore,  Mauritian patients seeking fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) travel to India frequently.
• Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery: India is one of the most favored destinations for plastic and cosmetic surgery, ranking fifth in the world in the number of plastic surgeries performed. Indian plastic surgeons offer treatments such as breast augmentations, facelifts, blepharoplasties, rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, and liposuction to Mauritian patients. Advanced techniques such as lasers, 3D imaging, and endoscopy have made these procedures safer, more effective, and affordable for patients.
• Organ Transplantation: Mauritian patients seek organ transplants in India due to their high success rates of around 90%. India ranks third in the world in the number of organ transplants. Kidneys and liver are the most commonly transplanted organs, and patients also travel for bone marrow, heart, and lung transplants.
• Traditional Medicine and Alternative Therapies: Patients often travel from Mauritius to participate in India's rich history of ancient medicine. Several wellness resorts and spas offer rejuvenation therapies. Traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy are highly popular among Mauritian patients traveling to India.

Best Hospitals in India for Mauritian Patients

India boasts many NABH and JCI-accredited hospitals from which Mauritian patients can choose. Notably, some of the top hospitals in India are:

• Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
• Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai
• Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru
• Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon
• Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi

Indian Medical Visa for Mauritian Patients

Mauritian patients who want to travel to India for medical purposes must obtain an Indian medical visa.

What documents are required to apply for an Indian medical visa?

• Completely filled application form with the applicant's signature
• A valid Mauritian passport (with a minimum of six months validity and having at least two blank pages)
• Two recent, clear photographs of size 51mm by 51mm
• A letter from the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life of the Government of Mauritius mentioning the patient's name, passport details, and date of travel.
• A letter from the Indian hospital with the patient's details
• Proof of previous medical checkup in Mauritius
• A letter from the local hospital or clinic recommending the patient to seek treatment in India
• Proof that indicates that patients can sustain themselves financially during their stay in India

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for an Indian medical visa?

Patients are eligible to travel to India from Mauritius only if they fulfill the following conditions:

• The patient's only purpose for traveling to India is medical treatment
• The hospital chosen by the patient is recognized and accredited by the Indian government
• A maximum of two family members or associates accompany the patient as medical attendants. 

What are the visa processing fees for an Indian medical visa?

All Mauritian nationals are issued a gratis visa to visit India, which means the visa application is free of cost to those holding a valid Mauritian passport.

What is the validity of an Indian medical visa?

• The medical visa for Mauritian patients is a triple-entry visa valid for 60 days.
• The patients can enter India up to three times within the validity period.
• The visa can be extended for up to six months if necessary.

What is the visa processing time for an Indian medical visa?

The time taken to process an Indian medical visa for Mauritian patients is two to three working days.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining an Indian Medical Visa?

Mauritian patients have to follow these steps to obtain an Indian medical visa:

• Consultation at a Local Hospital: Initially, the patient will have to visit a local doctor in Mauritius, who will examine and diagnose the patient and provide a referral to an Indian hospital.
• Hospital Selection: Once the patient is diagnosed, they must choose an Indian hospital for treatment. Patients can select the hospital by researching and considering factors such as the specialties available, their budget, location, and doctor availability.
• Visa Application: Patients must apply for an Indian medical visa by submitting an application form and relevant documents online.
• Visa Processing and Approval: Once the authorities approve the submitted documents, patients will be granted an Indian medical visa and can travel to India to seek medical treatment.

What are the things to remember while applying for an Indian medical visa?

• The accompanying members or associates must apply for a separate visa, known as the medical attendant visa.
• The visa's validity is counted from the date of visa issuance.
• To apply for a minor's visa, their birth certificate, a copy of each parent's passport, and a notarized visa application signed by both parents must be submitted.
• Patients must register with the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival in India.

To Conclude

Mauritian patients travel to India for medical treatment because they get superior-quality healthcare, skilled medical professionals, and highly developed infrastructure at an affordable cost. Moreover, the cultural similarities between the two countries make Mauritian patients feel more comfortable in India. As medical tourism in India grows in the future, the number of Mauritians traveling for medical treatment will surge.

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