This article advocates how total quality service, better staff-patient relationship and good facilities lead to create a better brand image of hospitals. In comparison to manufacturing sector Total Quality Management (TQM) plays more important role in development of brand images of hospital service units. With most modern equipment, specialists, hi-tech and specialty hospitals, Indian hospitals have become the preferred destination—the Mecca for healthcare. This article also highlights the importance of service delivered in Indian hospitals for developing a better brand image globally.

By upgrading its technology, gaining greater familiarity with Western medical protocols and improving its image in terms of quality and cost, the Indian healthcare industry is attracting a global clientele to emerge as a top medical-tourism destination in Asia.

Medical tourism is a type of tourism in which patients travel to different countries for medical treatment as well as to enjoy beauty of the other country. This will soon shape into a multibillion-dollar industry. The reasons for travel are many like the quality of infrastructure and availability of skilled personnel. The most important reason, however, is the cost of treatment in developing countries, which is typically a tenth of that in developed countries!!

Another reason for growth in medical tourism is that patients find a chance to view the beauty of other country, enjoy nature i.e., combining rest and leisure. One can also choose from variety of the medical treatments available. A few such countries that promote medical tourism include Cuba, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. India has some of the best hospitals and treatment centers in the world with the latest facilities. Since it is also one of the most favorable tourist destinations in the world, it is quite often a preferred choice for medical tourism. In fact, the industry in India is expected to become a $1-2 bn industry by 2012.

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