Medical Tourism, Treatments and Surgery in Chennai

(Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)

South India's Chennai is the epicenter of India's medical tourism industry, attracting patients with its cheap health care, top-of-the-range medical technology and English-speaking Chennai doctors.

While Chennai offers world-class medical treatment, it is usually the low price of procedures that is the weighing factor in patients deciding to come here for medical care. Chennai lacks the image of cleanliness and orderliness of some of Asia's other medical tourism hotspots, but its prices and standard of care are virtually unbeatable in this region of the world.


The private Chennai hospitals here are among the best in the country, with many offering medical packages that can be combined with tourism packages to provide visitors with a complete door-to-door service at the fraction of the cost of treatment alone in the UK. Among Chennai's dozens of private hospitals are those in the prestigious Apollo Hospitals group, along with a number of dentists with busy clinics.

Advantages of Medical Tourism

Most medical tourists choose Chennai because of the low costs of health care here rather than the world class treatment and facilities, with some procedures offered at just one-fifth of the price in the UK, often including airfare and accommodation during recovery.

The city is well connected to other Indian and global destinations, making it a relatively convenient option for Europeans seeking to combine medical care with a holiday. However, getting around the city can be a hassle, with chaotic traffic and high humidity the norm.

Industry driven Chennai doesn't hold as much tourist appeal as some of India's more famous visitor spots. However, with the globe's second-longest seashore, there are plenty of close-by beaches on which to convalesce, as well as western-style malls and cinemas in which to seek entertainment.

There is also the option to take day trips to nearby hill stations like Elagiri Hills or Yercaud, or to make a pilgrimage to Thiruvannamalai or Tirupathi temples. Close-by Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry also hold tourist interest with their temples, beaches and museums.

Medical Procedures

Chennai hospitals offer a wide range of procedures, with the most popular being heart surgery, followed by orthopaedic and eye surgeries. There are specialist hospitals for eyes, bones and joints, as well as specialist clinics within city hospitals catering to the likes of plastic surgery. Dental care in Chennai is also becoming popular for its attractive prices, and everything from cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening to crowns and veneers are offered.

Hospitals

Chennai hospitals offer a complete service for patients, from airport pick ups through to private chefs. Chennai has the flagship branch of Asia's biggest health care provider, the award-winning Apollo Hospitals. Pioneering procedures have been carried out here, including total knee replacement, Birmingham hip resurfacing and multi-organ transplants. The Chennai branch of Apollo is also popular for its heart surgeries, with a success rate in line with leading global hospitals.

Other popular hospitals among medical tourists to Chennai include the modern Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, which offers an international patient service; the Sankara Nethralaya eye hospital; and both the Madras Medical Mission and the KM Cherian Heart Foundation for all kinds of cardiac surgeries. For dental tourism in Chennai, All Smiles and the Dentistree International Dental Hospital are two providers of cosmetic dental care.