'Medical tourism in India has increased by 2.6 times'

The number of medical tourists has increased by 2.6 times in past three years three years. According to the data with Ministry of Tourism over two lakh persons visited India for medical tourism in 2016.

"We have made amendments to facilitate hassle free visa for medical tourists. In case of medical emergency recommended by registered Indian hospitals, Indian missions abroad should decide on such request within 48 hours of getting the application," said Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism. According to the data with the ministry the number of medical tourists in India was 75,688 in 2014 which rose to over 1.34 lakh in 2015 and over 2.01 lakh in 2016. The government has also provided the right to the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) to grant six months extension for stay in India depending on their medical requirements. According to the ministry the foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) during the months of January 2017 were around Rs 16, 097 cores which registered a growth of 17.8 percent in comparison to January 2016.