Coke Tales
The arrest and interrogation of a peddler in Delhi reveal that at glitzy parties in faraway farmhouses, money and power go on high with the kick of cocaine. It's the haute drug for the stylish people in black. A peep into the world of the cocaine-users.

Invisible Dialogue
Vajpayee has promised a solution by March next year. But who is he talking to? Nobody knows.

Gunning For Arun
Jaswant Singh's special adviser is again at the centre of a controversy. This one though is not of his own making.

New Metro Hotspots
Establishments combining a rash of activities have taken over from the one-dimensional discos in urban India.

HERITAGE: MEDICAL VACATIONS

A Viable Choice

	"There is tremendous scope for medical tourism. More people can benefit from expertise available here." Dr Naresh Trehan, EHIRC
	"We should now have an independent regulatory authority to accredit the hospitals in India." Dr Dev Saxena, Bombay Hospital

Patients also find solace in the personal attention given by Indian doctors. Nine-month-old Govind had acute complications since birth, kidney and heart problems and a missing anal tract. Govind's mother Meeta Toholoo saw no hope until she got in touch with Bombay Hospital's Dr Dev Saxena, head of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Despite financial problems, Meeta and her husband, a driver in Mauritius, arrived in India and later left quite contented.

In the US and UK, it is not unusual to have waiting periods of six months to a year for simple procedures like a cataract or for semi-emergency cases like coronary angiograms and angioplasty. "Patients there cannot avail insurance for non-critical surgeries like knee replacements or cosmetic surgeries. This makes India a viable choice for them," says Dr B.K. Goyal, dean of Bombay Hospital.

The Indian medical system also provides a patient the freedom to consult specialists without references. Nandita Desai from New York who underwent treatment at the Malpani Infertility Clinic explains, "Doctors here are more accessible. For fertility treatment in the US, I would have had to wait for several months before I got to see a specialist." Desai planned her visit so that she could meet her relatives, enjoy a much deserved holiday and get treated. For these patients, the Internet is a goldmine of information. Dr Aniruddha Malpani feels his clinic's overseas clientele has almost tripled since the its website was put up. "Patients ask us very specific questions and weigh the pros and cons before they take any treatment. We are not dealing with novices here," he adds.

B.M. Aiyanna, director of medical services at Delhi's Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, says health care is poised to become the biggest service-sector industry in the world. But he regrets that no formal attempt has been made to promote indigenous expertise. It would be helpful if Indian missions abroad could service visa requirements promptly.

Hospitals hope that with the arrival of private insurance companies, medical centres will get accredited. "We need an independent regulatory body to accredit our hospitals," says Dr Saxena. Says Dr Trehan: "There must be an organised system for helping patients on arrival, departure and in other procedures."

Union Health Minister C.P. Thakur says among other things the Government plans to set up a review committee to identify those hospitals that meet international standards. "Initially, we want to market ourselves in SAARC countries, Japan and Hong Kong where our expertise has great demand," he says.

Critics demand justification for the use of resources to benefit a few. But perhaps Dr Mohit Bhatt, neurologist at Jaslok Hospital, has the answer: "I do not use my skills and specialised equipment only for those who can pay. It is for everyone and revenues from overseas patients reduces the burden on health institutions considerably." Clearly, initiative and collaboration between the government and medical authorities may be the right prescription.

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Delhi Restaurant:
Kootub Restaurant

Delhi Dance Festival: Abhinaya Sudha

Delhi Restro-bar:
Buzz, Get It Here

Bangalore Exhibitions: Cinnamon