Get health-wise at Health Tourism exhibition

KOCHI:  The international Conference and Exhibition on Health Tourism is being held at the Le Meridean Hotel. The first day of the event on Friday attracted many visitors.The exhibition, which was inaugurated by  Sri Lankan Minister of Minor Export Crop Promotion Reginald Cooray, is a two-day affair with a number of stalls from various parts of the state. At least 39 stalls exhibiting healthcare products were put up.The exhibition is being sponsored by Lakeshore Hospital, Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences and many nursing colleges.Chairman of Kerala Health Tourism 2011, Philip Augustine said: “The intention of the exhibition is to create awareness among the public about growing opportunities and potential for Kerala in the field of health tourism.”Ranging from stalls showcasing the traditional healthcare products of India to the modern medicines that are  applied in various sectors such as fertility treatments have been displayed at the stalls. Hospitals specialising in eyecare and cancer also participated.The intention of introducing ayurvedic  stalls at the exhibition is to provide locals a chance to experiment with various traditional science which has for long been the  favourite option among foreigners. The programmes include special slimming, beauty care, spine and neck care, stress management , medicated fumes treatment for ears, ‘marma’ massages and medical steam baths.Also, a stall highlighting healing through traditional Kerala medications, sponsored by the Tourism Department is also an eye catcher with its wood products and designs highlighting health therapys and techniques.Another stall by Corporatta, a psychological Training Organisation in South India  which is striving to make a difference by providing unique packages such as the  psycho-tourism package are being displayed. The latest concept introduced in health and medical tourism is  guided psycho-tourism which introduces patients to the same destinations any tourist would go to, but with a completely different mindset especially making use of the natural ambience of the hills.The other packages include outbound and adventure tourism, village walk etc.Also, tourism  agencies such as the Elephant Court, Thekkady gives visitors a chance to book their trip to their fancy destination homes in Kerala amidst the tranquility of outdoors.