Embassy of India, Muscat, organized an India-Oman Business-to-Business (B2B) Meeting on Healthcare & Medical Tourism Sector on Monday, 23 September 2019. The B2B session helped in facilitating interaction and tie-ups between representatives of 48 Indian health care organizations visiting Oman to participate in ‘Oman Health Exhibition & Conference 2019’ being held from 23-25 September 2019, and representatives of hospitals and other medical institutions in Oman. India is the partner country for the Oman Health Expo and ‘India Pavilion’ is the largest participation of any country at this prestigious Expo. The Indian delegation for the Oman Health Expo is being led by Mr. Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

          Earlier in the day India Pavilion was inaugurated by HE Dr. Sultan Al Busaidi, Advisor to Minister of Health, Oman in presence of HE Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman and Mr. Dilip Chenoy. Exhibitors from India in different spheres – telemedicine, pathology and diagnostics care, research, high-end medical tourism, education, e-health, medical & pharmaceutical equipment etc. are showcasing their technical capabilities and relevant technologies in the health care sector and are sharing success stories of their R&D with various stakeholders in the Sultanate of Oman.

          The B2B Meeting was a part of Embassy’s endeavors to promote Cooperation in Health Sector between India and Oman as there is huge potential for Indian and Omani companies to explore formation of joint ventures and establishing operations in Oman as well as to facilitate Omani nationals to visit India for holistic health care. Dr. Sultan Al Busaidi, Advisor to Minister of Health of Oman graced the B2B meeting as Chief Guest along with Dr. Mohammed Al Sajwani, Chairman, Treatment Abroad Committee, Ministry of Health as Guest of Honor. Ambassador Munu Mahawar in his welcome address spoke about the India-Oman cooperation in various sectors and encouraged the health care stakeholders present at the event to further explore cooperation and investment opportunities.  Dr. Mohammed Al Sajwani, appreciated the contribution of Indian doctors and nurses in Oman’s helt care sector and praised the World class health care facilities in India.  Dr. Mohammed also encouraged the Indian Health care organizations to set up specialty hospitals in Oman, as there will be an increase in demand of health care services in Oman, due to plans for launch of universal health insurance in Oman.   

          A presentation on recent simplification of Medical visa rules was also given by the Embassy, under which an individual can get medical treatment in India on a tourist visa, even for pre-existing medical conditions without a change in visa. However it was emphasized by the Embassy that if the primary purpose of a visit to India is medical treatment, it is better to take a medical visa. Medical Visa for treatment in India has a very simplified process and can be applied with just an appointment letter from any Indian hospital. Indian Embassy has been constantly striving to ensure that Omanis seeking medical visa do not face any difficulty.

          India has emerged as the best destination for holistic health care owing to factors like, World class facilities at affordable costs; almost nonexistent waiting time for surgeries; world class services and care system; availability of health care therapies like Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga.