Quota will scuttle medical tourism: IATO

New Delhi, May 21: The Indian Association of Tour Operators has warned the government that medical tourism that is now growing at the rate of 30 per cent and slated to emerge as a two-million dollar industry in the next four to five years, will be severely affected if it encouraged quota system in medical institutes.

Extending full support to the agitating medical students in the national capital and other parts of the country, IATO President Subhash Goyal urged President A P J Abdul Kalam not to succumb to pressure by the UPA government and issue any ordinance to introduce quota system through the back door.

In a statement, he said medical tourism had brought around 1.5 lakh patients from different parts of the world last year making India one of the more sought after global destinations in intensive health care.

''But everything done so far by the government would come to a naught if, for political considerations, the monster of reservation is allowed to raise its ugly head and interfere with the pursuit of excellence which has brought laurels to our medicos on an international scale.'' Excellence in medical service, should be the sole criterion as not only the reputation of the country and its doctors was involved but also the lives of thousands of patients was at stake, he said.

''Similarly, you cannot risk the lives of hundreds passengers by a pilot being selected on the basis of his caste, colour or creed rather than on merit. The same is true in case of other service industries.'' Mr Goyal said IATO strongly condemned reservations of any type and if this country had to meet the geobal challenges and compete with the advanced countries, then merit had to be the main consideration for admissions to the institutes of higher learning and also in jobs.

A general body meeting of the IATO members was being called shortly to draw a line of action in support of the just demands of the agitating medical students supported by intellectuals and other enlightened citizens of the country, he added.

UNI

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