Business
India’s low-cost healthcare drives NRI medical tourism; insurance makes care affordable: Report – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: India’s comparatively low healthcare costs and expanding insurance coverage are driving a surge in medical tourism among non-resident Indians (NRIs), according to a new report based on Policybazaar’s NRI claims data from the past three years, cited by Economic Times.Cost advantages Medical procedures in India remain far cheaper than in many global markets. Elective surgeries typically cost between $2,000 and $15,000, while complex procedures are priced between $20,000 and $40,000. In addition, India offers access to economical generic alternatives for specialised medicines and therapies, allowing for extended treatment and chronic disease management.Insurance benefits Health insurance in India is also significantly more affordable, with annual premiums ranging from $120 to $300 per individual—well below costs in most other countries. The report highlights that such pricing has encouraged more NRIs to consider India for both routine and advanced medical care.Rising demand Online search behaviour reflects the trend: queries for “health insurance India for NRIs” rose 60 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, while searches for “medical treatment for overseas citizens in India” climbed 45 per cent over the last 18 months.Beyond cost savings Policybazaar survey also noted additional factors driving demand, including familiar cultural surroundings, the presence of family support, and widespread English proficiency among medical professionals. Many hospitals also offer comprehensive treatment packages that include visa assistance, travel arrangements and post-operative care. Insurance policies now increasingly cover support services for NRIs managing treatment for their elderly parents in India. With India’s healthcare sector already catering to international patients, analysts say the combination of cost competitiveness and growing insurance options positions the country as a major hub for NRI medical tourism.
Faarea Masud & Connie BowkerBBC News
MitchumA well-known deodorant brand has apologised and recalled some of its roll-on products after customers were reportedly left with itchy, burning armpits.
Consumers of Mitchum’s 48-hour roll-on anti-perspirant and deodorant complained on social media how they experienced “agonising weeping spots”, redness and irritation after using the roll-ons.
Posting on TikTok, one customer claimed they wanted to “rip my armpits out”, while another said her underarms felt like they were “on fire”.
The company said it was “truly sorry” and explained how a change in the manufacturing process had led to the 100ml batches sold in the UK, Ireland and South Africa being affected and recalled.
Hundreds have taken to sharing videos of their experience on social media, including a customer who described how she was left in agony because of “weeping spots” under her arm.
“I won’t be using any Mitchum products again because I’m not risking this happening again,” she said.
One woman said she was unable to sleep after applying the roll-on to her skin because the deodorant left her with “second degree chemical burns on my armpits”.
Another described her underarm skin as developing a pink rash which had “scabbed over”.
A Mitchum spokesperson said the brand was “truly sorry some of our customers have experienced temporary irritation.”
In a statement, the company said: “We want to reassure there has been no change to the formula of our products, but we have identified a change in the manufacturing process affecting one of our raw materials.
“This has impacted how the roll-on interacts with the skin of some users.”
It said the issue had since been “resolved” and it was working to “remove the small amount of product” left in shops.
“In addition, we have reverted to the original manufacturing process to ensure no other batches are affected”, the spokesperson said.
Mitchum advised all those affected to contact its customer services team so it could “make this right”.
The firm has issued a list of all the affected 100ml roll-on products. These are:
- Powder Fresh
- Shower Fresh
- Unscented
- Pure Fresh
- Flower Fresh
- Ice Fresh
- Clean Control
- Sport
Mitchum has apologised to customers following reports of rashes, bumps and burning linked to the use of some of its roll-on deodorants.
TikTok users posted videos claiming they had experienced redness and irritation after using the brand’s 48-hour roll-on anti-perspirant and deodorant.
Mitchum UK confirmed that the problem was linked to a change in the manufacturing process affecting one of the raw materials used.
It said a select batch of the roll-ons sold in the UK, Ireland and South Africa was manufactured by the updated method, and the company had now reverted to the original process.
A Mitchum UK spokeswoman said: “We are aware of reports from some customers regarding reactions to select batches of Mitchum 48-hour 100ml roll-on anti-perspirant and deodorant sold in the UK, Ireland and South Africa.
“No other products in our portfolio are impacted.
“Consumer wellbeing is always our priority, and we are truly sorry some of our customers have experienced temporary irritation. This is not the experience they expect from us.
“We take this kind of feedback extremely seriously and have worked hard to investigate the cause.
“We want to reassure there has been no change to the formula of our products, but we have identified a change in the manufacturing process affecting one of our raw materials. This has impacted how the roll-on interacts with the skin of some users.
“We can confirm this issue has now been resolved and we are working to remove the small amount of product remaining on shelf. In addition, we have reverted to the original manufacturing process to ensure no other batches are affected.”
Customers experiencing issues have been urged to contact Mitchum UK’s customer care team.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing competes during the British Grand Prix, the 12th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, United Kingdom, on July 06, 2025.
Rasid Necati Aslim | Anadolu | Getty Images
Carlyle is set to announce a new partnership with Formula 1 team Oracle Red Bull Racing as private markets firms aim to ramp up their exposure to the high-net worth and retail investor cohorts, CNBC has learned.
The agreement will plaster Carlyle’s branding on Red Bull’s RB21 challenger, drivers’ team kits, the pit wall and the garage, the two companies said Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Our industry is undergoing an extraordinary transformation, fueled by greater access to private markets and growing interest from a new generation of investors,” Carlyle CEO Harvey Schwartz said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner with one of the most illustrious brands in global sport to engage new audiences and create long-term value together.”
F1 teams have been raking in sponsorship dollars as the league soars in popularity. Last year, the teams generated a combined $2 billion in sponsorship revenue, according to a recent report by SponsorUnited. That surpassed every league except for the NFL, according to the report. And F1 generated the highest average sponsorship deal size at $6 million last year, which was about eight times the average for the NFL.
The private markets industry has been inking partnerships — particularly with certain sport franchises — in order to bring more brand awareness to firms as the industry evolves toward funding from individual retail investors. Other firms, such as Apollo and Blue Owl, have pursued sponsorship deals within professional golf and tennis.
Wealth has been one of the fastest-growing areas within Carlyle, raising more than $60 billion since inception and nearly doubling the segment assets under management in two years. In the release, Carlyle said it’s Red Bull’s exclusive partner in the investment management industry and that their alliance is the first between an F1 team and a “major global private markets firm.”
“As an iconic firm in global finance, Carlyle brings a long-term perspective with an expansive network, and we look forward to building a powerful partnership on and off the track,” Laurent Mekies, Oracle Red Bull racing CEO and team principal, said in the release
The SponsorUnited report said the technology sector drove the most F1 team sponsorship revenue, contributing $543 million. Financial services came in second, with $379 million, the report showed. AIX Investment Group recently sponsored driver Pierre Gasly for the 2025 season, featuring its logo on the side panel of his helmet.
Fibre2Fashion to host webinar on tariffs, retail fallout & costs
Machine learning can reduce textile dyeing waste: US Researchers
Mitchum deodorants recalled after itchy, burning armpits claims
-
Tech1 week agoLatam-GPT: The Free, Open Source, and Collaborative AI of Latin America
-
Tech7 days agoThe 50 Best Shows on HBO Max Right Now
-
Tech1 week agoThe Best Labor Day Mattress Sales on Our Favorite Models
-
Fashion1 week agoIndian exporters look to expand in Africa to dodge 50% US tariff
-
Tech1 week agoShould I Take Magnesium Supplements? Everything You Need to Know
-
Tech4 days agoNew non-volatile memory platform built with covalent organic frameworks
-
Tech7 days agoJoin Us for WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” Live
-
Tech6 days agoThis Robot Only Needs a Single AI Model to Master Humanlike Movements