Hyderabad-based Apollo Health City, has been conferred with the coveted National Tourism Award for ‘Best Medical Tourism Facility’ for the year 2017-18.

This is the third consecutive year and overall sixth- time, Apollo Health City has been bestowed with the prestigious honour, the hospital said in a release in Hyderabad on 27th September. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, Pralhad Singh Patel, and World Tourism Organisation (UNTO) Secretary General Zurab Poolikashvili, presented the award at a glittering ceremony held at New Delhi on 27th September. Telangana Minister for Tourism V Srinivas Goud, received the award along with the delegation from Apollo Hospitals.

Speaking about the award, Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy said, "India has the potential to become the preferred global healthcare destination. Our clinical excellence, marked by quality processes, best patient safety practices, and ongoing commitment to innovation, has not only helped us make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable but has placed us on cutting edge of healthcare delivery, affording us several differentiators in various Centres of Excellence.

Today, Apollo Hospitals welcomes patients from across the world, who come to experience world-class healthcare complemented by our rich heritage of healing and vibrant culture, all at a fraction of the cost as compared to the West, he said. “We appreciate the government’s efforts to promote medical value tourism by easing the visa regime for medical visits and the introduction of e-visa for medical tourists. This has resulted in the number of patients coming to India for treatment growing at a rate of 20-25 per cent year on year,” he added. Before the award for 2017-18, Apollo Health City was conferred the honour for the years 2009-10, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

"Receiving the ‘Best Medical Tourism Facility’ award and being recognized nationally for our world-class healthcare services make us feel very gratified and privileged, said Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group. We owe this recognition to our consultants, doctors, nurses and support staff who provide selfless relentless service to our patients, particularly our international patients, who visit us from over 150 countries, she added.