Health tourism will be promoted in Vizag: N Chandrababu Naidu

VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said the Andhra Pradesh government is taking all steps to promote Vizag as a health tourism destination to attract foreign patients.

"The city has excellent medical facilitates with natural beauty and also has hills on one side and sea on another. It has all the facilities to promote health tourism," Naidu said after inaugurating a super-speciality hospital here.

The state government has given lands for 28 corporate hospitals to establish their units here and 15 are now functioning.

Naidu also said his government had asked the remaining hospitals to start their work within the stipulated time, otherwise it will take back the lands.

Stating that medical treatment expenses in the country are very low compared to foreign countries though medical facilities are same both in India and abroad, he said several patients were visiting the country for treatment due to the facilities and low expenses.

Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Pratap Reddy said the 250-bedded hospital has ultra-modern laboratory facilities and latest modalities for imaging and diagnostics.

He further said the group will also establish 100 bed cancer hospital with "latest technology" in the same premises within six months.