Malnutrition is defined by google as, “the lack of proper nutrition caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.” Sadly, a wide range of individuals located in impoverished countries find their health suffering as a result of such. For, many in first world countries eat three meals a day, along with snacks, indulge simply because they are bored, and/or even become accustomed to wasting food at a buffet when dining out－others don’t have such an opportunity. In fact, a number of factors can be a cause of malnutrition－no matter whether it be inaccessible or poor healthcare, poverty, etc.
In turn, one place in particular where malnutrition is prominent is India. “FAO estimates in ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018’ report, 195.9 million people are undernourished in India. By this measure 14.8% of the population is undernourished in India. Also, 51.4% of women in reproductive age between 15 to 49 years are anemic.” The saddest part of all is that, “more than one third of the world’s malnourished children live in India.” But, despite such misfortune, one fortunate solution comes in the form of Medical Tourism. For, in our modern day world those who are unable to get the health care that they need have began traveling out of their homeland and elsewhere to gain access to better medical resources that they might not have otherwise, in addition to receiving treatment for a cheaper price－and/or cost.
For, those who are unfamiliar with Medical Tourism, the term “refers to people traveling to a country other than their own to obtain medical treatment. In the past, this usually referred to those who traveled from less developed countries to major medical centers in highly developed countries for treatment unavailable at home.” Not only that, but it is steadily growing in India allowing more and more people to get the treatment, and/or medical attention that they so badly need.
In conclusion, the only way that malnutrition can be treated is through things such as dietary changes, which may include but is not limited to; vitamins and minerals, and/or high energy and protein. It is through these forms of treatment that the malnourished can find care－and most importantly hope－through the medical resources presented to them via Medical Tourism in a time in which they need it the most.