The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has proposed to the Central Government the setting up of Health Technology Parks (HTP) in the country to face the increasing technology challenges in the healthcare/pharmaceutical sector. In a recent representation before the Union Ministry of Commerce, the CII has asked the government to come out with necessary policy initiatives in the Exim Policy 2003 that can support the export of healthcare services.

According to CII, the HTPs should be provided all necessary sops that are being extended to the software technology parks and free trade zones in the country. This includes subsidies, grants and concessions on duties and taxes. Services that could be set up in HTPs include creating infrastructure for clinical trials, other research and development activities, medical transcription, IT enabled services in health, bio-medical services exports, knowledge transfers and assimilation, data warehousing and remote diagnosis.

CII feels that the government can initiate the marketing of HTPs across the world through its embassies thereby put the country's medical services on the world map and turning India a "global healthcare destination," as expressed in Budget 2003.

The healthcare committee of CII pointed out that the Exim Policy has already recognised healthcare services as an export industry and the government should help market the country's medical capabilities.

Strengthening the domestic healthcare delivery system could bring in patients from abroad and this would translate into revenue for the exchequer. It would also throw the doors open on fee-based consulting, as "tremendous opportunities exist for healthcare consultants, with a wide range of fee-based opportunities like those required by the IFC Washington and Asian Development Bank," the representation points out.

Off-site support services for foreign healthcare providers and insurance payers are also a burgeoning segment.

The CII wanted the government to ease visa restrictions for medical practitioners and healthcare management professionals for enabling them to offer quick services abroad.