MEDICAL TOURISM THROUGH G TO G MODEL: OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HOME BASED PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND WOMEN INDIGENOUS HEALERS

Abstract

India with 1.25 billion people is served by merely 4.5 million doctors and thus health inequity exists. Indigenous healing
rooted in experience is still important in regions where bio-medicine may be too expensive or inaccessible. Herbs, Health,
tourism and rural livelihood have always been interlinked and provide promising future. The demand for holistic health
with traditional system of medicine from the urban population and developed world had alarmingly increased. The impact
of globalisation on indigenous cultures and traditional health practices can be seen as the increasing interplay of cultures.
Holistic and Preventive health care has received global acceptance where the focus is on wellness culture. Dharamsala in
Kangra, Himachal has become a popular destination for the foreign tourists. The ecology and Tibetan culture of the place
along with diversified forms of health care system (CAM) attracts both domestic as well as foreign tourists. People are
particularly interested to experience health benefits and rural tourism due to calm weather, lush green forests and peace.
Studies on tourism suggest that tourism industry can also help promote peace and stability in developing country like India
by providing jobs, generating income, diversifying the economy, protecting the environment, and promoting and protecting
indigenous health care providers.