The availability of quality treatment at par with developed countries at an affordable cost attracts patients across the world to India. Medical services in India are one of the lowest cost and high quality among all medical tourism destinations in the world. Increasing number of foreign patients to India each year underlines the supreme treatment available in India which costs about one-tenth of that in the United States. The Indian Government also contributes to cost effective medical service in the country by relaxing visa restrictions for people seeking medical treatment and regulating the cost of treatment which ensures affordability for all. English is an official language in India and is widely used by medical professionals in the country. Also, Apollo hospitals have language translators to make non-English speaking patients comfortable during the treatment period. This removes language barriers for patients travelling from foreign countries and makes it easy to communicate with doctors. Apollo Hospitals for International patients The International Patients Department at Apollo Hospitals is always ready to assist patients in planning and preparing their travel itinerary to the hospital. We are committed to ensuring that our foreign patients are provided with international quality treatment and also make sure they are comfortable throughout their stay with us. Patients can approach our International Patients Department for any assistance or queries regarding their stay in India and travel back home. International patients seeking Indian medical facilities can go through our website to know about Apollo Hospitals and our specialized departments for specific diagnosis and treatments. All information about our services, technologies, competencies, medical team, specialities, hospitals and doctors are furnished in detail. Our representatives are available at any hour to provide additional information about Apollo Hospitals and services. Apollo Hospitals in India International patients can choose from any of the 64 hospitals located across the country for treatment in Apollo Hospitals according to their travel plan. Patients can also prefer to get consulted with a doctor of their choice and plan the trip. To make it easy to decide which Apollo Hospital to be selected, we have a facility to find the doctor through our website. Specialties of Apollo Hospitals Apollo Hospitals is one of the most renowned multi-specialty hospitals in India equipped with excellent medical facilities using sophisticated technologies. We have always taken care to maintain the quality and standards of medical services provided to our patients. Our medical team has leading specialists with immense knowledge and experience in their subjects. Our doctors are dedicated to bringing excellent results to patients using experience, knowledge, technology and responsibility. We have facilities and arrangements that make our patients from foreign countries feel at home and care that only someone special can offer. What we expect to provide our patients from abroad is complete recovery and return to normal life at the earliest. That’s how Apollo Hospitals work and keeps up the goodwill of medical service excellence. Apollo Hospitals Quality Policies The Apollo Standards of Clinical Care (TASCC) is set to ensure that quality treatment is provided to patients across all Apollo Hospitals. It provides information about patient safety, adverse event reporting, review, standardized policies, etc.Some of the key initiatives of TASCC are: ● Apollo Clinical Excellence (ACE 25) which is a scorecard to evaluate the functional efficiency of the hospital. ● Apollo Quality Program (AQP) to ensure patient safety during clinical handovers, surgical safety, medication safety and the six International Patient Safety Goals of JCI. ● Apollo Incident Reporting System (AIRS) to track all incidents that pose a safety risk to patients families, visitors and staff, including sentinel events. ● Apollo Mortality Review (AMR) to peer review all mortality cases at Apollo to identify any preventable deaths.

• ● Apollo Critical Policies, Plans and Procedures (ACPPP) are a group of standardized clinical and non-clinical processes that help Apollo provide desired clinical care to patients under all circumstances.

In addition, Apollo Hospitals hosts the annual International Congress on Patient Safety in association with ISQUA, JCI and NABH. The conferences are extremely well attended by healthcare professionals from over 24 countries. The Asian Patients Safety Awards 2014, aimed to recognise the best healthcare practices are also presented. As a forerunner in medical tourism, Apollo hospitals attract patients from different parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Apollo hospitals have credits of trust among 50 million patients from over 140 countries. It is always striving to enhance its facilities and infrastructure to offer international patients, a world-class healthcare system that emphasises on safety and excellence.

  In past few years, medical tourism has gained immense popularity. The reason people choose to travel for medical intervention is to receive the best medical care with excellent outcomes which are often missing in their own country. A recent study also supports the fact by quoting “the number of individuals who visit India, for treatment has increased by 23 to 25 per cent per annum”. One of the reasons for people visiting India is also due to the amalgam of world class healthcare services with latest technology at a very cost effective rates, along with an opportunity to visit exotic locales. Since flying to a new country, especially for medical treatment can be daunting and strenuous task, here are a few valuable tips to choose medical tourism facility in India ● Travelling that extra Mile Travelling to another country for medical treatment can be a stressful ordeal, and Apollo Hospitals understands that very well. One can contact Apollo Hospitals International Representatives for advice before planning their trip. Our best doctors are also available to provide online consultation to help and support International patients. At the airport too,  arrangements are made for a pickup service along with the hotel stay arrangements. ● Find cost effective travelling options The cost of your trip is always a major factor to be considered before you plan a trip because nearly 80 percent of people consider cost as a major driver for their medical travel. Apollo Hospitals help patients find cost effective travelling options from any part of the world. Our international representatives are always ready to assist you with a plan which is tailored to your needs. ● Your stay in India The cost of accommodation is always related to the cost of living of the country you visit. One of the most attractive things in medical tourism in India is that accommodation is much cheaper than other countries. If you plan to stay near any of the Apollo hospitals during the treatment and after that, the International patients services can help you make the hotel and room arrangements during your stay. Considering the facilities in a hospital The quality of the services in a  hospital is the most important factor you should consider after you have chosen the country for your treatment. Some countries offer low-cost treatment but the facilities provided may not be as expected. Luckily, hospitals in India are at par with international standards in quality and advancements in facilities provided. ● Doctor's Qualifications Before preferring a particular foreign doctor or physician, one should first consider the doctor's credentials. Apollo Hospitals has over 7,000 best doctors working in over 56 different specialities to cater to patient needs. To book an appointment log on to www.askapollo.com ● International standards  Hospitals which are International and national accredited offer world class medical care as they have to follow norms to obtain accreditation. Apollo Hospital has been accredited by both international and national accreditation such as Joint Commission International (JCI), USA  and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals to assures the best practices in a safe environment. ● Overcoming the language barrier Visiting a new country may not be convenient for all. Language is a primary concern while visiting a foreign country. The doctors at Apollo hospitals are well conversant in English, and they have a team of translators at their International patients department who communicate with patients in their colloquial language. ● Insurance and Liability A major consideration when choosing a medical tourism destination is the question of responsibility and liability. Despite the huge savings that medical tourism provides, an increased risk may still be apparent. Apollo Hospitals coordinate with various International Insurance providers to hold your responsibility. For more details, please contact our International Patient Services Desk/Admission Counter or an Apollo Hospitals’ International Representative today. If the health insurance is not available to you, take comfort in the fact we offer affordable treatment packages. As a forerunner in medical tourism, Apollo hospitals not only attracts westerners, but also patients from different parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and the Middle East come here for treating ailments of heart, cancer, liver and other organ transplants, HIV and other life-threatening infections. Since its inception, Apollo hospitals has to its credit the trust of 50 million patients from over 140 countries. It is constantly striving to enhance its facilities and infrastructure to offer international patients, a world-class healthcare system that emphasizes on safety and excellence.

If you’ve decided it’s time to begin an exercise program, running is one of the human body’s most natural ways to do so. In fact, studies have found that running promotes a person’s overall well-being of body, mind and soul. Running boosts one’s self-confidence, relieves stress, and helps you lose those unwanted pounds; while also toning your muscles and increasing physical endurance.   And, running has further been medically proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, and some forms of cancer! More positives related to running include the fact it can be done virtually anywhere, anytime, and that it is a relatively inexpensive form of exercise. As a beginner, doctors recommend several important steps to follow when getting started, and as you gradually increase your running distance over time. A Beginner’s Running Program Starts with the Shoes

Starting a new running habit doesn't have to be hard. This guide makes it easy to get started, get inspired and stay on track. When you consult a doctor, they will inform that running comfort starts with a good pair of shoes. Make sure that they are specified for running, and that the shoes are not too loose or tight. Ideally, they need to be a little larger than your dress or casual pairs, so that they don’t “heel slip”, and fit securely and comfortably in the midfoot area.

  Alright, now you’ve got your shoes, and you are ready to begin running. Here are some other recommendations when starting a running program, and as you progress over days, weeks, and months:

It is important that you stay hydrated before and after running, and the best source of hydration is regular water. Right after running, water should be the only beverage that you drink, and make a conscious effort to increase your daily water intake in relation to how far, and how often, you run.

Ask a doctor and he'll tell you that the secret to living a healthy life is regular exercise, healthy meals, and lots of smiles. Eating salads is one of the easiest ways to get the required serving of nutritious vegetables and fruits. Salads are served at virtually all restaurants and made at home. Salads can be customised to suit your palate by simply incorporating vegetables and fruits you enjoy most. Reasons Why You Should Eat Salads

• ● Salads are rich in fibre and thus aid digestion, lower cholesterol and kerb the appetite.

• ● The essential minerals and vitamins our body needs are supplied in a bowl of salad. Depending on the kind of vegetable and fruits used to make your salad, your body can gain essential vitamins and minerals that include vitamin C, beta-carotene, antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, folate, and other necessary vitamins.

• ● Healthy fats from avocado and olive oil found in salad dressing have nutritional benefits; Vitamins A, E, and K are absorbed in the presence of these fats.

If you are looking for healthy and tasty homemade salads, try these six awesome simple salad recipes today.

Tasty Fruit Salad

Fruit salads are ideal for summer, especially when refrigerated before consumption. This recipe is quick, easy, nutritious, and delicious!

Ingredients

• ● 2 green apples, peeled and chopped.

• ● 16 ounce of nonfat yogurt.

• ● 1 cup of finely chopped walnuts.

• ● 4 stalks of chopped celery.

• ● 2 sliced nectarine.

• ● 1 cup of dried cranberries.

Preparation

• ● Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl.

• ● Add the nonfat yoghurt or any other yoghurt of your choice.

• ● Place in the refrigerator to cool for some time.

• ● Serve chilled.

  Apple Coleslaw Salad

This apple coleslaw salad is the perfect accompaniment for burgers. A mixture of fruits, vegetables, and tasty salad dressing. For the ultimate experience, serve when chilled.

Ingredients

• ● 2 cups of chopped cabbage.

• ● 2 grated carrots.

• ● 1 chopped red apple.

• ● 1 finely chopped green onions.

• ● ¼ cup chopped red bell peppers.

• ● 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.

• ● 1/3 cup of mayonnaise.

• ● Sugar (optional).

Preparation

• ● In a clean salad bowl, mix cabbage, apples, bell peppers, carrots, and green onions together.

• ● In another bowl, prepare the salad dressing by combining mayonnaise, sugar, and lemon together.

• ● Drizzle the mixture over the combined fruit and vegetable mix.

• ● Serve immediately or refrigerate first.

  Carrot Salad

● Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C. This simple, healthy salad is not just attractive and tasty but improves eyesight, skin texture, and reverses the negative effect of sun damage.

Ingredients

• ● 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

• ● 1 tablespoon olive oil.

• ● 1/ 4 cup of water.

• ● Salt to taste.

• ● 4 grated carrots.

• ● Chopped garlic.

• ● 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

• ● Parsley.

Preparation

• ● Add grated carrots, garlic, and water in a clean bowl.

• ● Microwave the mixture for a few minutes.

• ● Drain the excess water from the carrot and garlic mix.

• ● Add olive oil, pepper flakes, parsley and salt.

• ● Serve immediately.

Note—consumption of pepper is proven to worsen certain illnesses. Speak to your doctor before consuming spicy foods if you suffer from any medical condition.

Tomato and Peach Salad

Tomato and peach may seem like an odd combination till you try this recipe. Simple and quick to make, this salad offers many positive antioxidants and healthy fats.

Ingredients

• ● 3 sliced plum tomatoes.

• ● 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

• ● Salt.

• ● Pepper.

• ● Thin slices of red onions (as desired).

• ● Peach wedges.

• ●1 teaspoon of olive oil.

Preparation

• ● Combine sliced tomatoes, peach wedges, and red onion slices in a bowl.

• ● Drizzle vinegar and olive oil over the mixture.

• ● Add salt and pepper and taste for the desired flavour.

• ● Serve immediately or keep refrigerated.

  Mango Chicken Salad

Get your daily dose of protein by following this simple recipe. Mango and chicken salad is the perfect side for some lightly air fried chips. The chicken in the salad makes it a rich protein packed dish that can be eaten as a main meal.

Ingredients

• ● 1 tablespoon lemon.

• ● 1 tablespoon honey.

• ● Grated ginger.

• ● 1/4 olive oil.

• ● Grilled chicken.

• ● Diced mango (as desired).

• ● Chopped red and green bell peppers.

Preparation

• ● Combine grilled chicken, red and green bell peppers, and mango in one bowl.

• ● In another bowl, mix honey, olive oil, lemon, and grated ginger.

• ● Toss the vegetables with the mixed salad dressing and serve immediately.

  Curry Tuna Salad

Tuna is rich in protein, selenium, and omega 3 fatty acid. The benefits of tuna include improved heart health, obesity prevention, reduced chances of stroke, and a sound immune system.

Ingredients

• ● Canned tuna.

• ● 1 tablespoon curry powder.

• ● Vegetable oil.

• ● I tablespoon mayonnaise.

• ● 1 teaspoon lime juice.

• ● Salt.

• ● Pepper.

• ● Slices of red onions.

• ● Cilantro.

Preparation

• ● Heat the curry powder in vegetable oil.

• ● Mix in the mayonnaise, lime juice, salt and small amount of pepper.

• ● Toss the mixture with the red onion slices, cilantro, and canned tuna.

• ● Serve while warm.

It comes to no surprise why salads are an extremely food option for many people. There is enough evidence that suggests eating salads before the main meal reduces the total amount of calories eaten at that meal. To tap into the full health benefits of eating salads, ensure you substitute fatty salad dressings for healthier alternatives and build a salad bowl with enough fresh vegetables.

If you plan on starting a healthy food plan, talk to your dietician to see how you choose healthy meals for you and your family starting today.

Do you like eating salads?