A new set of luxury hospitals in India is redefining the segment with cinema halls, cafes, fancy waiting rooms and grand architecture. And these aren’t just for India’s super-rich, who seek fine medical care in even finer surroundings, but also for well-heeled medical tourists from all around the world.
The opulence is almost unbecoming for a country where millions have little, or no, access to quality health care. For instance, the Dubai-based ABV group, which is opening a luxury hospital in Mumbai in the next two years, plans to bring in its patients by Rolls-Royce cars.
In New Delhi, the Fortis Memorial hospital has an in-house cinema lounge and a food court. At the Aster Medcity hospital in Kerala, the rooms are done up in warm lighting and hardwood floors.
The price tag attached to these services also resemble what a five-star hotel would normally charge. Some hospitals like the Apollo Hospitals Group have suites that cost Rs30,000 ($470.6) per night. The package includes interpreters, personal attendants and a well-stocked pantry, among others. Meanwhile, at the Fortis La Femme hospitals, a two-day all-inclusive child birth package costs Rs4-5 lakh ($6275-7844).
India has been the hotspot for medical tourism in recent years. According to consultancy firm PwC, India’s medical tourism industry is expected to grow from $2.8 billion at present to $10.3 billion in 2020.
Here is a peek into India’s luxury hospitals, which could be mistaken for shopping malls—or even luxury hotels.
