Defining
marketing, Sibal, a lawyer by training, said that for him it meant
products and services that are saleable, affordable and of high
quality. “Prosperity of a nation depends on the prosperity
of its people and the extent of the market depends on the affordability
of its products,” he added.
He
asserted that India would be the world leader in the market by
the year 2015, mainly due to its strength in science and technology.
Similarly, the minister felt that India could become a world leader
in the pharma sector because labour was available in India at
a cheaper cost compared to the West.
Referring
to inventions that were being done by ordinary people all over
the country, Sibal said that for him marketing meant providing
simple solutions to the problems of the people at affordable prices.
“India
cannot go forward by ignoring the people at the bottom of the
pyramid,” he held on to his political line.
On
the other hand, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre ED
Dr. Naresh Trehan emphasized that India can very well take advantage
of medical tourism, but for that to happen in a big way, the Indian
government needs to beef up the infrastructure and its marketing
abilities.
“High
quality treatment at a fraction of the cost, in comparison to
western countries, makes India an ideal healthcare destination
from highly specialized medical care”, Dr Trehan said, but
added this cannot become a reality without a helping hand from
the government.
Speaking
at a session on `Marketing Crystal Gazing 2015: Are you a part
of the future’, Dr Trehan’s speech to the marketing
delegates took a dual look at the state of healthcare in India
and also discussed India’s
potential to be a leading destination in the medical tourism business.
Quoting
from an international report, Dr. Trehan said that despite the
growth in medical and health infrastructure in recent years, India
needs to spend in excess of $25-30 billion by 2012 to raise the
infrastructure required in healthcare for the domestic populous.
According
to Dr. Trehan’s estimates 100,000 medical tourists are likely
to visit India annually by 2012, which would generate revenues
of approximately $2 billion up from the current $333 million.
“Although
this is substantial income for India, it represents a dramatic
cost savings for the US, European and other foreign nationals
who have to pay about five to ten times of what they pay in India
for the same
treatment.
But
for such a scenario to become a reality, the government has to
have the political will and resources.
“Strengthening
of infrastructure at airports, roads and hotels, provisions for
medical visas on arrival, priority bookings and reservations on
Indian air carriers and allowing private hospital facilities on
the airport tarmac are key factors that the government needs to
develop.
"Additionally,
the government must take the lead in marketing Indian medicine
internationally and help attracting the medical tourists,”
Dr. Trehan gave his version of marketing strategies.
Dr.
Trehan also shared his vision and concept for the new MediCity
project, which will cover over 18 super specialty hospitals and
the first phase will be inaugurated on India’s 60th birthday.
However,
Dr. Trehan warned that since no national standards of excellence
exist for healthcare, it could become an issue.
