Newstrack

Swedish VC Institute to tap India for medical tourism

Sanjeev Bhar - New Delhi

Sweden-based Swedish Venture Capital Institute (SVCI) is tying up with hospitals and hotels in Goa and Mumbai to send medical tourists from the Scandinavian and Nordic countries of Europe including Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland.

Speaking about the project, Rajiv Mehta, its owner and director, said, "Talks are on with a leading doctor of the country who is associated with Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for his hospitals in Goa and Mumbai. We have also associated ourselves with hospitals in the Scandinavian region. India is being looked at for various kinds of surgeries and minor clinical corrections. SVCI has tied up with the Scandia Insurance Company in Sweden, which would bear the entire travel, medical and lodging costs of the medical patients as part of the packages offered by SVCI's India arm." The company picked Goa and Mumbai as part of the initial plans to attract medical tourists through chartered flights for a programme spanning a week to 10 days. "Our company has also entered into a contract with two four-star hotels in Goa," he added.

He however did not divulge any investment details. "Since the project is in its early it is really difficult to ascertain the minute details first hand. Nonetheless, we hope to see the project go underway soon. The scope of the project is immense considering the high medical costs and long waiting periods in Scandinavia."