Kerala is already the major new healthcare hub in South of India, attracting international as well as national brands to its territory. The state is now gearing up to become the hub of healthcare in all of India.
India’s healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors and it is expected to reach $280 billion by 2020. The hospital industry in India is forecasted to increase to Rs 8.6 trillion (US$ 132.84 billion) by FY22 from Rs 4 trillion (US$ 61.79 billion) in FY17 at a CAGR of 16-17 per cent.
As per the Healthy States Progressive Report presented by NITI Aayog CEO, Amitabh Kant, Kerala topped the charts followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh.
Observing the number of hospitals getting accredited and receiving recognition and making efforts to create awareness on the need to develop the quality to meet international standards, in 2015, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO of Aster Medcity had predicted that "Kerala is preparing itself on a five-year mission to become India's healthcare hub."
And we see the prediction turning true. Here is how:
Healthcare system in Kerala
Not only is the private healthcare system strong in Kerala, but also the public healthcare system is equally equipped to boost the state’s healthcare condition.
Even after facing a strong blow of the floods that uprooted the economy of the state, it bounced back to life, only because the healthcare system was strong enough to withstand the challenges.
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an order that the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Wellness Centre will be opened in Kochi.
Private Healthcare Groups Foraying into Kerala
In a recent news update, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd has confirmed that it has forayed into the Kerala market by entering into an operations and management (O&M) contract for a 250-bed super-speciality hospital at Angamaly, in Kochi.
Apollo has also offered to support the Kerala government in rebuilding the infrastructure of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), which were damaged in the recent floods. In order to validate the support, Apollo has entered into an agreement with the state government.
Ayurveda Spas of Kerala
Kerala is not only known for its well planned and successful healthcare infrastructures but also for the ayurveda spas and medical treatments.
Recently, Kerala Ayurveda Ltd. (KAL) announced that it is planning to launch its products in the US market. Ramesh Vangal, chairman of the company, says, "We will introduce 15 products by the end of this fiscal that deals with diabetes, inflammation and weight reduction."
The news report mentions, KAL has an academy which provides Indian-sourced ayurvedic education, services and products based out of California.
Vangal is expecting the alumni to spread awareness about ayurveda in the US by starting ayurvediccentres. He says, "Currently the market for ayurveda is insignificant in the US but millions in the country practice yoga which has a universal appeal."
