Russian tourists in Goa facing medical emergencies will not have to pay from their pocket now as a Moscow-sponsored medical insurance firm has worked out a mechanism to reach to them within hours of any exigency.
The tourists will be insured with League of Defence and Medical Services (LMD), a Russian government-sponsored medical insurance firm that has initiated a process of empanelling Goa-based hospitals.
"The company will reimburse the medical bills of these hospitals on the spot, which means the tourists need not spend their own money in case of medical emergencies," Vikram Varma, LMD's representative in Goa, told PTI today.
LMD's Goa operation stems from the fact that there has been a spurt in number of Russians visiting this tourist paradise. "After Greece and Turkey, which attract five lakh Russians each annually, Goa has emerged as an important destination for them," he said.
The tourism department figures reveal that around 45,000 Russians visited Goa last year, while this year the number is projected to cross the 50,000-mark. If this trend continues, the Russians are likely to soon outnumber the Britons visiting the beach state.
Although the insurance scheme is optional, the company officials feel an increasing number of visitors will opt for it after Goa facility begins fully operational. "The traveller will have to make a one-time payment of $30 and he/she will be entitled to medical expenses up to $30,000, which include post-treatment care, fees of the attendant and also, if required, the flight ticket to carry back patient to Russia for further treatment," Varma said.
The insurance company has appointed staff to assist Russian travellers needing medical help. "The service will be available through a helpline and even in the dead of the night, assistance would be provided," Varma said.
The company intends to empanel at least half a dozen private hospitals under the scheme as government hospitals in the state already provide free treatment.
Varma said not only medical costs but expenses like medico-legal charges would also be borne for the insured person by the company.
