IANS

New Delhi, Nov 14 (mb): Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni wants to undergo a cosmetic surgery to make her 'big nose' slim and beautiful.

"I have been thinking of doing a nose job for quite some years, so that I can get rid of my big nose," Soni said in the capital Tuesday.

"I don't remember since when I have been thinking about it. The problem is I am too sensitive and don't know which hospital to go," she said.

Soni was addressing the India Health Summit organized by the industry lobby Confederation of India Industries (CII) and India Healthcare Federation (ICHF).

The two-day meet, which began Tuesday, will chalk out a roadmap for the Indian healthcare industry.

From celebrities to would-be brides and from bridegrooms to school students, many people go for cosmetic surgery. An estimated 150,000 people, including those from abroad, go for a face-lift every year in India.

Lifestyle and fashion is nearly a one trillion dollar industry in the country and doctors believe that 500 billion dollars are spent for pure lifestyle related medical treatments.

Speaking about patients from abroad visiting India for treatment, Soni said: "Medical tourism has a huge potential and if more foreigners visit India then private hospitals will be the direct beneficiaries."

She added that long waiting time at hospitals in some developing countries was turning more patients to India.

"We have efficient doctors, world- class infrastructure and a vibrant culture to attract foreigners to visit India for both health related treatment and enjoying exotic places.

"Things have changed over the years. India is progressing and is in the focus for economic growth," Soni said adding that the country needed more hospitals, doctors, nurses and hotel accommodations to capture a large pie of the world health tourism market.

The two-day India Health Summit is organized by industry lobby Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and India Healthcare Federation (ICHF).