Healthcare tourism is the perfect blend between care for your health and international tourism. Disparate as they may seem, healthcare tourism is a rising trend the world over. The reasons behind the escalating popularity and the widespread practice of healthcare tourism are threefold.

Let's take a closer look at each.

The primary reason is simply a search for better healthcare services with budget. When one's health is one's concern, it is natural to look for the best treatment options within one's budget. Countries such as India are fast coming to the forefront as provider of world-class healthcare facilities. These include a wide array of highly skilled healthcare professionals, trained in various specialized disciplines, state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities, impeccable service and personal attention to every need of the patient and all these, at a cost that's surprisingly affordable.

This brings us to the second reason behind the surging popularity of healthcare tourism - economy of cost. Most people in need of specialized healthcare services feel daunted by the high cost associated with them. Countries such as US, Canada or some European nations, offer the same high standard healthcare facilities at a cost that's substantially greater than countries like India or Malaysia or Dubai. Let's face it, not everybody can afford the high cost associated with healthcare services in his or her own country. Nor do all of us enjoy the benefits of medical insurance.

All this naturally necessitates the need to look for similar healthcare services elsewhere, where the cost is lower. Healthcare tourism makes it possible to save up to 80% (as compared to US/UK) on medical costs by opting for countries like India. Healthcare tourism in India is fast gaining in popularity because of this simple reason.

Last, but not the least, you get other benefits such as reduced waiting periods for your treatment. If there is a critical treatment involved, or an operation that needs to be done quickly, you can initiate the process almost immediately after contacting the healthcare professionals in these countries. Most hospitals or medical establishments in the US or UK have lengthy waiting lists and necessitate wait for a substantially longer period of time.

Smart and well-informed professionals, speaking fluent English and attending to every detail with meticulous attention, only add to the overall experience. You can rest assured knowing that the task of caring for your health is in good, able hands. You will also find comfort in the thought that when you are fully treated and about to return home, you will not be handed bills that will make you fall sick all over again.

So what makes healthcare tourism tick? The reasons are many. Exorbitant cost of healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries, ease and affordability of international travel, favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and high standards of medical care in the developing countries - all of these have contributed to the rapid development of medical tourism. Opt for healthcare tourism and get the best of medi-care without breaking the bank. And did we mention, the joys and thrills of visiting a new country come for free?