Commenting on the title Syed Iqbal Ahmed medical consultant at WVI said 'I am extremely happy to have been given this honour as our mission has always been to provide the best medical services and have satisfied and happy medical tourists. That we do our best to meet our client's expectations of finding the best healthcare solution for them has now been proved by the award.' The award was handed over during a two-day IIMTC congress.

Ahmed said WVI with more than 38 network offices in GCC facilitates contact with overseas doctors and hospitals and presents their credentials to prospective clients. 'We also provide information to these clients about the various medical procedures and recuperation packages available. The information we provide is often used by our clients to make their own decisions as to where they want to have their medical or dental care.'

He emphasised that WVI is a facilitator service and not a medical advisory service. 'We do not have a physician-patient relationship with our clients. We always suggest that they seek the advice of a qualified health provider regarding a medical condition and make their decision about going on a medical trip abroad based on the health provider's recommendation. Packages provided by WVI include all forms of dental care eye care heart care orthopaedic surgery and cosmetic surgery' he added.

Ahmed said medical tourism has many advantages like medical procedures at affordable prices by proven certified healthcare facilities and physicians comfortable and cost- effective trip planning journey stay tourist experience and recuperation.

'WVI achieves this mission by listening to clients' needs establishing direct communication between the client and physicians and medical facility prior to the trip learning from experiences of past clients contracting and building relationship with certified medical facilitates and physicians worldwide' said Ahmed.

On awarding WVI Dr H N Garg chairman of IIMTC said 'It is our rightful duty to acknowledge the pioneering and excellent work which is being done in this segment worldwide. This effort is helping in creating a brand image for India as a hub for medical tourism.'

Ahmed said that the company has alliances with leading tourism operators worlwide. WVI's top network hospitals include Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur the John Hopkins Hospital and Mayo Clinic US Nova Specialty Surgery Fortis Hospital and International Stem Cell Services in Bengaluru Asklepios Klinic Barmbek in Germany Wooridul Spine Hospital in Korea Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand and Bangkok Hospital Medical Centre Artemis Health Institute in Gurgaon (India) NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute in Mumbai Clemenceau Medical Centre in Lebanon Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore Anadolu Medical Centre in Turkey Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai and Aster Medicity in Kerala.

IIMTC Medical Tourism Awards 2015 winners

Best Medical Tourism Company of the Year (National): Global Treatment Services Bengaluru Best Medical Tourism Company of the Year (International): Wide Vision International Oman Best Medical Tourism Facilitator of the Year: Fayyaz Ahmed (India) Award for innovative services: Fxkart.com International Excellence Award 2015: Dr Prem Jigyasi International Excellence Center of the Year: Apollo Dental White Prashanth IVF Hospital (Chennai) and Sri Sri Ayurveda (yoga)