The Kerala-based Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital will be focusing on the unexplored markets of CIS countries, Russia and South Africa for the promotion of medical tourism in the State.

According to A M Anwar, Chairman and Managing Director of Punarnava, there has been a considerable shift in Russian medical tourists arrivals to Kerala from Goa for ayurvedic treatment in the last two years. The growth is nearly 70 per cent and a majority of them prefer treatment for arthritis, rheumatism, vitamin D deficiency, psoriasis etc., the diseases which are associated with cold weather conditions.

Arrival of Russian medical tourists in groups would facilitate further promotion of medical tourism in Kerala throughout the year. Anwar pointed out that Kerala's medical tourism has been primarily dependent on West Asian tourists both for ayurveda and allopathic curative treatment. In the last 10 years, flow from this region has increased 200 times.

Punarnava has recently inked a deal with the Saudi-based healthcare and tourism firm Al-Hokair group to set up 20 ayurveda rehabilitation centres in the Gulf, Egypt and Turkey as well as expand its footprint in Kerala. The joint venture group plans to invest Rs 300 crore in Kerala’s ayurvedic hospitality sector to set up a hospitality chain with global standards.

Punarnava is all set to open its second treatment facility in Sri Lanka in May. The first centre was started in 2014 at the island nation.

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