IMTD 2009 – Indian Hospitals promote medical tourism in Canada

The event has evinced unprecedented response from the Indian Government, India’s Ministry of Tourism,  Consulate General Of India in Toronto,  Indo Canadian Chambers of Commerce have extended support to this first ever major medical tourism expo outside India that will showcase the best of Indian healthcare in Canada.

The speakers at the IMTD Conference are leading lights from India and Canada led by Dr Narottam Puri, President –Medical Strategy & Quality, Fortis Escorts Hospitals Group,  Ms. Lisa Purdy, Practice Head, Deloitte, Canada , Dr Sajan Hegde, Apollo Hospitals, Dr K Ravindranath, Chairman Global Hospitals, Ms. Ann Kaplan, President & CEO, Medicard Finance, Dr Vasanthi  Srinivasan, Director, Health System Planning & Research, Ontario Ministry of Health and Mr Pradeep Thukral, Executive Director, Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA).

Mrs Preeti Saran, Consulate General of India, Toronto is hosting a special business networking breakfast meeting to kick off the IMTD 2009 www.imtd2009.com where leading business and healthcare leaders from Canada and India will deliberate on ““Developing synergies between India and Canada in the Healthcare sector”

Indian Medical Travel Association, the Embassy of India in Canada, Ministry of Tourism and Surgical Tourism, Canada  have joined hands to hold this  first ever specialized trade show in Canada to promote Medical Value Travel to India.

The Indian Ministry of Tourism which has launched a highly successful “Incredible India” campaign to promote India, has approved participation in IMTD 2009 by JCI and NABH accredited Indian hospitals and other eligible medical travel facilitators under its MDA – Market development Assistance Scheme. This implies that the participating hospitals would be able to get financial support for a major part of  the promotional expenses under the MDA scheme from the Ministry of Tourism.

The Indian Consulate General and the Regional Tourism Offices of the Government of India based in Toronto are also actively supporting IMTD2009 as an important landmark marketing event where for the first time a large number of Indian Medical Tourism players will join hands to enhance awareness of the high quality of  medical care available in India at a fraction of the cost in the Western world.

Canada as a market for promoting medical tourism to India holds great potential. It has socialised system of healthcare delivery that is under  strain and waiting lists are growing.  A surgical wait list of large 850,000 Canadians , points towards the need for this conference. Canadians tired of waiting are now open to visit and learn about their multitude of options beyond the realms of  the public health system.   There is a large population of Indian origin in Canada  who are also likely to visit this trade show. IMTD 2009 also provides a unique opportunity to Healthcare industry player both in Canada and India to explore business avenues for collaboration.

The visitors and delegates to IMTD 2009  are expected to be a large number of  Canadians  looking for medical and surgical services,  Provincial Health Authorities, Insurance companies, travel and tour operators, legal entities, medical information management companies, hospital administrators and medical tourism facilitators.

About Indian Medical Travel Association. www.indianmedicaltravelassociation.com

A non profit body aimed at preparing India for facing the challenges of global competition in Medical Tourism space and actualise the tremendous opportunity for India to become a leading global healthcare destination. IMTA's membership has a diverse base of India's leading JCI, NABH accredited hospitals, Indian System of Medicine and Wellness service providers, travel industry, Insurance, Assistance and Medical Tourism facilitation companies.