Karnataka govt plans to develop medical hub near Bengaluru International Airport

The Karnataka government is planning to develop a dedicated medical hub near Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) in Devanahalli, as part of its initiative to make the city one of the preferred destinations for Medical Tourism in the world. According to a report in DNA, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) will develop the hub, as per its ten-year tourism master plan, in coordination with city-based private hospitals, Ayurvedic and naturopathy centres. A senior official from KSTDC informed that the state government is acquiring 12,000 acres of land to develop the area near the airport and the medical hub will occupy 300 acres of this land.

Private hospitals, diagnostic centres, Ayurvedic resorts and centres offering alternative systems of medicine will function in the hub. The official added that the project report is currently being prepared and tenders will soon be called for. The hub near the airport will be developed under public-private partnership, while another hub will come up in Mysore on 400 acres of land. Many private hospitals are already involved in projects to tap the potential in Medical Tourism.

Dr Issac Mathai, Medical Director, Soukya International's Holistic Health Centre said, "Ayurvedic resorts will be set up to tap tourists heading to Kerala for naturopathy and Ayurvedic treatment. The resorts will have about 200 beds. The hub will have genuine medical institutions and treatment will be given by trained and certified professionals. Naturopathy and yoga will also be part of the hub. The state government was also trying to invite foreign investors to set up hospitals and infrastructure at the hub."

Vasuki KS, General Manager, Narayana Hrudayalaya said that the institution was setting up a hospital on 35 acres of land allotted to it by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board near BIA. He said that the new hospital near BIA is likely to be ready in three years. Foreign patients from 55 countries visit Narayana Hrudayalaya. The hospital does not have different tariffs for Indian and foreign patients, but the new hospital will have different rates.

Dr Umapathy Panyala, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Hospital said, "The Apollo Hospital is also planning to set up a health care centre near BIA. We have sought 15 acres of land."