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India's healthcare sector is growing at pace, with the country increasingly becoming a magnet for medical tourism.
While Kiwis have traditionally travelled to Australia for elective medical procedures to skirt around lengthy waiting lists in New Zealand's public health system, some appear to be increasingly preferring the South Asian nation for treatment.
However, travelling to India - any country for that matter - for an elective procedure carries an element of risk.
What follows is a primer on what you need to know when seeking medical treatment in the South Asian nation.
Why are Kiwis increasingly choosing India as a destination for medical procedures?
It's no secret New Zealand's public health system has been strained for some years, with long wait times for elective and non-emergency procedures sometimes stretching out several months.
If patients in need of treatment decide to go private, the costs can be prohibitively expensive.
In contrast, India boasts internationally accredited hospitals with well-trained staff that offer easy access to medical treatment - often at a fraction of the cost.
As English is the lingua franca for medical treatment in India, communication is typically fairly smooth.
Many healthcare providers in India also offer advanced state-of-the-art procedures such as cell and gene therapies that may not be widely available in New Zealand.
What procedures are popular?
Individual healthcare needs obviously vary but many people travel to India for elective and non-emergency procedures such as dental work, cardiac treatments, and hip, knee and joint replacements.
How much cheaper are some procedures in India?
The cost of healthcare in India varies wildly between providers.
However, the same medical procedures in India will cost a fraction of what they would cost in New Zealand - sometimes as much as five times less, according to recent domestic media reports.
What are the main considerations to keep in mind while going for medical treatments to India?
Travellers are advised to do their due diligence on treatment options, as not all healthcare facilities are equal, and quality varies considerably.
As such, it's advisable to stick with internationally accredited providers with global reach.
Should anything go wrong during the procedure, travellers face few options for redress.
The Indian justice system is famous for its snail-like pace, so suing a healthcare provider over medical malpractice is often a lengthy and costly affair.
It's also important to remember that post-operative care options can be limited upon returning to New Zealand and it's likely to be difficult for patients to find a local healthcare provider who is willing to provide continuity of care with knowledge about procedures performed in India.
Patients should also consider the travel risks associated with receiving medical treatment in India.
There are currently no direct flights between India and New Zealand, with trips taking at least 18 hours.
Will health insurance cover medical procedures carried out in India?
While private health insurance in New Zealand typically doesn't cover overseas medical treatment, it would be advisable to at least take out travel insurance to cover flight cancellations and accidents when travelling abroad.
That said, some private insurance providers cover pre-approved medical treatments in India, so it pays to shop around if seriously considering travelling to the South Asian nation for a procedure.
Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information on medical tourism.
