Come home for a bypass surgery

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">AHMEDABAD: A bypass surgery that costs between $50,000 and 1,00,000 abroad can cost as low as $3,500 in any of the plush and professionally managed private hospitals in the state.<br /><br />Cashing in on the state-of-the art and economical public as well as private medical infrastructure of the state, the government is promoting medical tourism at the Vibrant Gujarat Navratri 2004.<br /><br />When President Abdul Kalam inaugurates the Mega tourism promotion event at the Vibrant Gujarat Navratri 2004, medical tourism will be taking centre stage along with all the celebrations planned for the mega-event.<br /><br />If last years investment billings are any indication, there is not much to look forward to, but if the sources in the government are to be believed, they feel that this year it will be different, what with Gujarat offering some of the safest and most economical medical facilities in the country.<br /><br />There are 136 private, 66 government hospitals and 161 blood banks in the state.The state also has one of the best road, rail and air connectivity with the rest of the country making it easily accessible to patients.<br /><br />The buzzword during this <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Navratri</span> is to promote Gujarat as a state committed to preventive, promotive and curative medicine. Privately-owned hospitals that offer a plush and secure experience for the patient are already set to woo the patients with attractive rates and flexible payment options for NRIs.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">The Krishna Heart Institute has plans to attract NRIs this festive season. "We are promoting our schemes and urging NRIs to schedule their heart treatments during their holiday back home this festive season", managing director Dr Animesh Choksi said.<br /><br />A full medical check-up with treadmill test and dentist consultancy comes at a meager $150, which is only a fraction of the costs that one incurs in USA or UK.<br /><br />"The facilities that we offer are world-class, the post operation services are also impeccable and to top it all it is very economical. It''s a win-win situation for the patients." Apollo Hospital CEO Alexander Kuruvilla said.<br /><br />The government''s thrust is to encourage outside investors to come to Gujarat. Plans to make the health sector as an industry sector are also under active consideration.<br /><br />Celebrations have been organised from the 14 to 22 October 2004 and will be held across Gujarat and at major religious places of Amba<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">ji</span>, Bahuchara<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">ji</span> and Pavagadh.<br /><br />The other themes that the government is focusing on this year are adventure and eco tourism, heritage tourism, and spiritual tourism.</div> </div>