"The vast potentialities of the novel concept of 'Medical Tourism' would be harnessed to the utmost extent possible as this unique sector has enormous possibilities to propel growth of Punjab on the developmental index."Disclosing this here today while interacting with the media-persons, the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu said that the excellent infrastructure Punjab has in terms of roads, bridges, rail would contribute a great deal towards help the state emerge as a numero uno in medical tourism. Divulging further, the minister said that world class hospitals such as CMC, DMC, Hero Honda Fortis, Max, and Apollo with state of the art equipment and services also augur well for Punjab to make its mark in the field of medical tourism.
He also said that various upcoming hospitals like –AIIMS and Tata Cancer would further act as a catalyst for fastening the pace of Punjab on the showing the way to others in this one of its kind sector. Further elaborating, the minister said that the presence of the 2 International airports, presence of Punjabi diaspora in over 67 countries, access to central asian countries besides proximity to large markets such as Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, passing out of more than 16000 medical professionals each year would also give boost to medical tourism in the State.
He also informed that not only the emergence of Punjab on medical tourism map would result in employment generation but it would also result in pouring in of investments, FDI contributing towards boosting of the economic infrastructure of the State.Mr. Sidhu further added that a global summit on Medical Tourism in Punjab would be held besides the formation of Punjab Medical Tourism Council coupled with the special international health insurance for NRIs from Punjab. He also said that comprehensive Tourism and Medical Tourism policies on the lines of cultural policy are ready and they would be presented to the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh for approval.On the occasion, Advisor Dr. Amar Singh, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Jaspal Singh and Director Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon were also present.