When I first came to India with the dream of helping address the critical nursing shortage in the United States, I never expected to find myself founding a medical travel company. In fact, at that time, I did not even know that significant numbers of people leave the U.S. every year for medical treatment abroad.

The transition from developing GS3 (our nurse training/recruiting firm in India) to creating BestMed Journeys came naturally. GS3 had developed training programs for Indian nurses seeking to emigrate to the U.S. (As of October 2007, over 6,000 student and practicing nurses in over 60 locations are enrolled in our India-based GS3 program.) While we were developing tie-ups with Indian hospitals for GS3, some hospitals asked if we could investigate and possibly enter the medical travel field. Medical travel? Why? The answer soon became apparent. India has a lot to offer patients from around the world.

By this time, I had already visited many Indian hospitals. As in many other countries, including the U.S., the range and depth of clinical care and the level of hospitality services varied significantly. What particularly impressed me in India, however, was the superior level of care and hospitality which existed in many hospitals and clinics throughout the country. The reason medical travelers would come to India became clear. In India, medical travelers: 1) spend significantly less money for their medical care 2) have greater access to doctors (no waiting for hours on end in doctors’ waiting rooms) and a greater ability to speak directly with doctors (Indian doctors willingly spend time with their patients) 3) could have certain procedures not readily available in the U.S. and/or 4) have the option to convalesce in a remote, relaxing and comfortable environment – all of this while expanding one’s horizons and experiencing India’s intriguing culture. But the hospitals needed a company to give western patients the comforts they’re used to and lead them through the challenges that going abroad entails.

As I thought about how I’d give Americans what they need – and want – on their medical travels in India, I remembered the initial difficulties I had as a foreigner landing in India for the first time. The challenges I faced began with finding the driver the hotel had sent to the airport, and finding suitable accommodations, and continued with food related issues and challenges in communication. Stepping into another country – any county – always presents some culture shock. India is still a third-world country and quite frankly looks it in many areas. But despite appearances, the fact remains that India has top-notch medical facilities and physicians that rival many U.S. hospitals. I could relate to the challenges medical travelers might face. I could help them find and receive medical care in a way that would benefit them economically, emotionally and physically…. I could accomplish all of this by creating a company which would offer an end-to-end service for Westerners seeking medical care in India.

BestMed would arrange for high quality clinical care through select medical providers and at the same time provide comfortable and affordable hospitality with an eye towards smoothing out the bumps in the road that usually accompany medical travel. BestMed Journeys would make its customers’ medical travel more economical, easier, more comfortable, and highly successful.

For all patients considering medical travel, please avail yourself of the information on BestMed Journeys’ site and feel free to email the BestMed Journeys team with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. We wish you the best of luck with your medical travels!

Sincerely,
Mendel Zilberberg
CEO, One World United, LLC (American parent of BestMed Journeys)