NEW DELHI: Despite the ongoing debacle over visa fees in Oman, the country remains heading to India for “medical tourism,” the government here said in a statement. According to the statement, published by Press Trust of India, the number of Indian visas being granted to Omanis in Muscat is dramatically on the rise. The number of medical visas issued to Omanis from Jan 1 to June 30 this year has jumped three times and that of other kinds of visas went up 30 per cent when compared to the same period last year, according to the report. “There was a tremendous increase in the number of all kinds of visas issued to Omanis during the first half 2012. “The statistics reveal that India is turning into a prime destination for Omanis who opt for advanced treatment and also want to have a glimpse of the rich Indian cultural heritage,” a senior official from the Indian embassy in Muscat was quoted as saying by the Times of Oman. Topping the states in India for Omani medical travelers were southern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and the national capital New Delhi. “The rise in the number of medical visas shows that India is turning into a medicare hub. India has state-of-the-art medical facilities, experienced medics, affordable and quality nursing facilities, cheap medicines, and traditional healthcare centres. This has led to a rush in medical tourism,” the official added. Local agencies say visa enquiries for treatment in India are very high in Oman. Omani families feel the closeness of their ties with India and have opted out of more expensive destinations nearby, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for India, which has a well-developed medical industry at rates often half the price as the Gulf.
