India has generated an estimated revenue of around $600 million from over five lakh international healthcare travellers including non-resident that visited India in 2006, the study revealed.

The study also said, the promotion of healthcare tourism would result in development of associated sectors, such as medical equipment manufacturing, telemedicine, medical diagnostics, out-sourcing of hospital administration and insurance. “India has many advantages including, cost-effective healthcare solutions and availability of skilled healthcare professionals, to make the country as attractive medical tourism destination,” Exim Bank said in a release.

The total market for healthcare tourism is estimated to be in the range of $150 billion globally and India has less than one per cent share of it.