IMTD 2009, an exhibit of Indian medical providers was held in Toronto, Canada from the 20th through 22nd November 2009. It show cased Indian clinics, hospitals and spas amongst the Candadian public. This is the first time that Canada got to see a Medical tourism show. After the recent World Medical tourism congress in Los Angeles, this is the second time within a month that Indian hospitals showcased their medical expertise in North America. Madras Joint Replacement center attended both the events as a delegate and exhibitor.
Canada's socialized medical system is bursting at the seams. 46 percent of the GDP is spent on health care in Ontario according to the former minister of health Mr. George S. Talking to Dr.Venkatachalam, the former minister remarked that this can no longer go on.
Reasons for decline
This is the precise reason for seeking alternate solutions. There is almost no private practice in Canada. Many Canadians have to travel to the US for expensive medical treatment like Joint replacements.
This is where centers of excellence like the Madras Joint Replacement center have a crucial role to play. They offer prompt, affordable and efficacious treatment in India. Patients need to spend only a fraction of the cost from their pockets.
At a closed door meeting held at the ministry of health last Friday, it is learnt that Government officials were curious about Medical tourism and agreed to send a delegation to India to assess the facilities.
The MJRC is an independent clinic that specializes in Joint replacements in Chennai, India. Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam is the chief orthopedic surgeon. He has trained in the UK and India and has wide experience gained in the UK< Belgium, Oman & Dubai. It has on board orthopedic surgeons, anesthetists, physiotherapists and hospitality industry. Overseas patients travelling to Chennai for surgery are received at the airport by a uniformed Chaffeur and taken to the hospital. They undergo their surgery at a pre fixed date and are generally fit to leave the hospital in about a week. Then they spend a week on two at the resort till their wounds are fully healed before heading back home.
All primary and revision Joint replacements are done by the surgeon Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam who trained in the UK. It specializes in Hip resurfacing and flexible knee replacements.
If the patient has concomitant illnesses, a team of specialists is available to take care. Treatment costs are typically one fifth or one eigth of that in the US. Patients need to book their own flights but in case they require help, facilitators based in Canada are there to lending a helping hand. In case some one is laid off from work, then finance can be arranged for the surgery. Prompt surgery enables the patient to recover and return to work. With their renewed capacity to earn, they can easily re pay their loans over a short time.

This system of Private doctors lending a helping hand will work wonders for Canadians sick and tired of waiting for surgery says Dr.Venkatachalam of http://www.hipsurgery.in & www.kneereplacement.co.in