Posted By :  Admin1

New Delhi: Last year, patient Herbert from Tanzania sought treatment in India for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Following proper diagnosis and three cycles of Immunotherapy Chemo treatment, he is now returning to his country with the chemo protocol. He plans to come back for review and follow-up treatment in six months. Every year, thousands of cancer patients from around the world travel to India in search of accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment, hoping for a chance at life. Indian healthcare has reached its pinnacle, boasting world-class hospitals providing state-of-the-art treatment at significantly lower costs compared to developed countries. Supported by a vast pool of skilled medical and paramedical professionals, advanced medical technology, adherence to international quality standards, and extensive datasets, India is poised to drive research for improved treatment pathways, early detection, and the development of new drugs. Annually, over 600,000 international patients journey to India seeking advanced care in areas such as cancer treatment, heart procedures, orthopedics, IVF, and organ transplants. This influx of medical value travel contributes significantly to the sector, amounting to a worth of 5-6 billion USD. In the last five years, cancer has emerged as the deadliest disease globally, posing a significant risk to life. There has been an unprecedented rise in cancer cases worldwide, particularly among the youth, attributed to modern lifestyles, consumption of processed foods, increasing pollution levels, advancements in diagnostics, and genetic predispositions. Global Cancer Statistics for 2020 indicate a total of 18.1 million new cases, with 9.3 million occurring in men and 8.8 million in women. The most prevalent cancers are breast and lung, accounting for 12.5% and 12.2% of total cases, respectively. Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most common, contributing to 10.7% of all cancer cases. Pankaj Chandna, Co-founder of Vaidam Health, a prominent Medical Tourism Company in India, remarks, "Vaidam.com receives numerous cancer inquiries globally." The top cancer hospitals in India provide comprehensive treatment modalities, encompassing advanced diagnostics such as PET CT, PET MRI, Biopsy, and tumor markers. These hospitals feature dedicated teams of onco-surgeons and medical-radiation oncologists, alongside access to the latest drugs and innovative treatments such as cyberknife, immunotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, dendritic cell therapy (DCT), and proton therapy. In addition, Manoj Kumar, GM-International Business at Artemis Hospitals, a JCI-accredited hospital in Gurugram, highlights the hospital's commitment to cost-effective treatment, quality care, a holistic approach, minimal waiting times, and compassionate support, ensuring patients feel embraced with warmth and dignity throughout their treatment journey. India's leading hospital chain, Apollo Group of Hospitals, is at the forefront of cancer care. The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) stands out as South Asia and the Middle East's inaugural and sole proton therapy center in the fight against cancer. Proton beam therapy (PBT), an advanced radiotherapy modality, effectively treats cancers while minimizing radiation exposure to adjacent healthy tissues. Fortis Memorial Research Institute has numerous case studies on blood cancer treatment and has completed over 1000 successful bone marrow transplants. Hospitals like Fortis, alongside others, are pivotal in solidifying India's status as a premier medical tourism destination. Dr. Deep Goel, Principal Director and Head of GI Cancer Surgery at BLK Max Hospital, emphasized, "With the advent of precise and accurate robotic surgery, coupled with next-generation sequencing to comprehend individual cancer genetics, we can effectively select patients for advanced chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments." Dr. Sumant Gupta, Director of Metro Cancer Institute and Executive Committee Member of the Indian Society of Oncology and Breast Cancer Foundation-India, highlights India's unique position in cancer treatment. Access to generic drugs, high-end procedures such as Indigenous CAR T cell therapy, and bone marrow transplants at significantly lower prices, ranging from 50 to 90% less than other countries, distinguishes India as a leading destination for cancer care. In addition to a multidisciplinary treatment approach, international patients find comfort in India, whether it's the excellence in quality care, language support, easy access to hospitals, or facilities for food and affordable accommodation. Medical value travel companies like Vaidam Health (www.vaidam.com) offer treatment and logistics assistance, ensuring a hassle-free medical journey for patients. Furthermore, the Indian government has undertaken significant initiatives to enhance medical infrastructure and streamline the medical visa process, facilitating longer stays for international patients. In 2019, prior to the onset of COVID-19, 6.97 lakh individuals (comprising seven percent of the total international tourists) traveled to India on medical visas. Presently, globally renowned Indian cancer hospitals, coupled with the transformative impact of innovative technologies for early detection, provide unparalleled cancer treatment with higher success rates. Factors such as excellent care and comprehensive administrative and logistic support further bolster India's position as the most promising destination for affordable cancer care treatmen