Chennai, Nov 28 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of issuing visas fast to patients from SAARC nations will boost medical tourism in the country, said an official of Apollo Hospitals group.

Modi at the recent South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit announced medical visas will be granted immediately for the patient and attendant from SAARC countries.

"This will give a huge boost to medical tourism in India, which we at Apollo have been aggressively propagating in promoting India as a global health destination," Prathap C. Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said in a statement issued here Friday.

According to Apollo Hospitals Group, the healthcare industry, at large, had always expressed apprehension about protocols and procedures that foreign patients had to go through to avail medical treatment in India.

While medical and clinical excellences have always attracted patients, strict protocols and stringent rules diverted patients to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

A substantial number of patients are from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan come to India for treatment. These are countries that lack tertiary care and hence patients come looking for medical expertise and world class healthcare.

Most of the patients come in for orthopaedic, oncology and cardiac care. However, the size of the segment is considerably high and demand exists for all super specialities, the statement said.