In an insightful interview with Medial Tourism Today, Mr. Sano Jacob Marattil, COO of Global Health Opinion Inc. shares how his organization is reshaping global medical travel. With a blend of AI, telemedicine, and cultural empathy, GHO is redefining how patients access world-class care across borders—safely, efficiently, and transparently.
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Mr. Jacob, can you walk us through the typical journey of a medical tourist using your services- from initial inquiry to returning home?
At Global Health Opinion (GHO), our core strength lies in transforming the traditional model of medical travel through technology-first, data-driven care. We specialize in offering end-to-end medical value travel powered by our robust Second Opinion Platform and intelligent Patient Journey Management System (PJMS), designed to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right place—without unnecessary travel or risk.
The journey begins digitally, with patients or caregivers submitting their case and reports via our website or partner channels. GHO’s AI-assisted engine then connects the case to a global pool of over 25,000 experienced doctors—carefully matched by specialty, geography, and clinical expertise—who independently review and issue a peer-reviewed Second Opinion report. This report includes diagnostic confirmation, treatment recommendations (surgical or non-surgical), cost expectations, and an evaluation of whether travel is necessary.
This Second Opinion becomes the cornerstone of the patient’s journey. In over 40% of cases, patients avoid travel or invasive procedures thanks to accurate remote insights. If treatment abroad is advised, GHO’s platform auto-recommends top-rated hospitals from our vetted global network across India, UAE, Germany, UK, USA, and Africa. It offers real-time availability, digital cost estimates, and visa assistance—all integrated into a seamless user dashboard. Once travel is confirmed, PJMS tracks every step—flight logistics, airport pickup, accommodation, hospital coordination, and translator support. During the stay, real-time progress updates are shared with families and referring doctors, ensuring transparency and trust.
Post-treatment, GHO’s telehealth platform enables continuous care through virtual follow-ups, medication management, and report sharing. Even complex post-operative cases benefit from remote monitoring and access to the original treating doctors. With every step digitally guided, GHO redefines medical travel as a patient-first, tech-enabled global healthcare experience.
What types of procedures are most commonly requested by international patients, and how do you handle post-treatment follow-up care?
At GHO, international patients most often seek complex, high-impact procedures that require specialized expertise and cost-effective access. These include oncology, cardiac surgeries, organ transplants (liver and kidney), orthopedic and spine surgeries, fertility treatments, and advanced diagnostics. Neurology, robotic surgeries, cosmetic procedures, and bariatric care are also increasingly popular.
What sets GHO apart is our integrated Second Opinion platform, which ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment planning before any travel. This reduces unnecessary procedures and optimizes outcomes.
For follow-up care, GHO offers a fully digital continuity-of-care model. Patients can connect with their treating doctors virtually for routine check-ins, wound reviews, test result discussions, or medication adjustments. PJMS tracks milestones post-return, sending alerts for evaluations, rehab schedules, and follow-up support. For critical cases, we offer remote monitoring, home care coordination, and emergency consultations—ensuring comprehensive and connected care even after the patient returns home.
How do you leverage technology – AI, telemedicine, and patient portals – to enhance patient experience and care outcomes?
At GHO, technology is at the core of our ecosystem. Our AI-powered Second Opinion platform intelligently matches each case with global specialists based on clinical complexity, specialty, and outcomes. It triages cases, standardizes reports, and delivers peer-reviewed advice quickly—often within hours.
Our telemedicine platform enables consultations with leading doctors worldwide, both before and after treatment. Whether it’s for assessments, second opinions, or post-operative follow-ups, it ensures continuity of care and saves patients time and resources. For complex cases, we organize multidisciplinary video boards for collaborative reviews.
PJMS acts as a real-time digital companion throughout the care journey. Patients can track appointments, access results, receive reminders, and securely communicate with their care team. Hospitals and doctors benefit from clinical dashboards and milestone alerts—ensuring no detail is missed. Together, these technologies deliver a personalized, efficient, and globally connected care experience.
Can you share any recent innovations or partnerships that are reshaping your services?
GHO is advancing rapidly through strategic technology partnerships and global collaborations. We’re supported by Microsoft for Startups, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and the NVIDIA Inception Program—leaders in cloud, AI, and healthcare innovation. These partnerships help us scale our Second Opinion platform, optimize AI-based patient matching, and enhance PJMS with real-time insights and multilingual support.
We’ve partnered with Sheba Medical Center, Israel—one of the world’s top 10 hospitals—to integrate their expertise into our second opinion and care programs. Patients from underserved regions can now access world-class specialists without immediate travel. We’re also working with hospital chains such as TX Hospitals, Dr. Rao’s Group, and Meitra Hospital to embed our digital infrastructure into their international care operations. Additionally, partnerships with medical tourism facilitators across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia will soon enable direct access to verified hospitals and specialists through our platform.
These innovations are about more than expansion—they’re about building a seamless, tech-enabled global healthcare network.
How do you ensure patient safety, care quality, and compliance with international medical standards?
Patient safety and compliance are central to our mission at GHO. All partner hospitals are internationally accredited—JCI, NABH, or equivalent—ensuring adherence to global standards of safety, ethics, and outcome reporting.
Our Second Opinion platform uses a peer-review model where cases are reviewed independently by top specialists from our global network, eliminating bias and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Technologically, our systems are hosted on Microsoft Azure and AWS, with HIPAA and GDPR compliance. Patient data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with role-based access controls for full privacy. PJMS includes consent forms, data logs, and secure messaging between all stakeholders.
We also conduct regular clinical audits, collect patient feedback, and track treatments in real time. With AI-enabled quality checks and remote monitoring tools, we ensure care is ethical, secure, and consistent—regardless of geography.
What are some of the top destinations and treatments patients seek through your platform?
GHO connects patients with trusted hospitals worldwide, based on their medical needs and preferences. Top destinations include:
• India: Leading for transplants, oncology, cardiac surgeries, IVF, orthopedics, and cosmetic procedures, with cost-effective and high-quality care.
• United States: Preferred for cancer, neurology, rare diseases, precision medicine, and robotic surgeries at premier academic institutions.
• UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are rising as hubs for fertility, orthopedics, bariatrics, and wellness, with luxury medical infrastructure.
• Germany & UK: Known for cardiac, neuro, oncology, and rehabilitation services within strong public systems.
• Israel: In collaboration with Sheba Medical Center, we offer oncology, pediatric, and stem cell treatments backed by clinical innovation.
• Thailand, Turkey & South Korea: Popular for cosmetic, dental, spinal, and minimally invasive procedures with modern infrastructure and affordability.
How does GHO personalize care for patients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds?
At GHO, we understand the challenges of seeking healthcare abroad, especially with language and cultural differences. We provide multilingual support across our Second Opinion platform, telehealth services, and PJMS—allowing patients to receive care and communication in their native language. Our global care coordination teams include trained translators and interpreters, available virtually and on-site, to assist at every stage. We also adapt care protocols to accommodate cultural needs—from dietary and religious considerations to family involvement in decision-making.
By combining technology with human empathy, we ensure every patient feels heard, safe, and respected—regardless of their background.
What trends are currently shaping the future of global medical tourism?
Several key trends are redefining the medical tourism landscape:
1. Virtual-First, Travel-Second: Patients validate diagnoses and explore treatment options remotely before deciding to travel—saving time and cost.
2. Digital Health Infrastructure: Platforms like PJMS enable seamless, end-to-end cross-border care.
3. Outcome Transparency: Patients and governments demand ethical practices, clinical data, and international accreditations.
4. Holistic Wellness Integration: Medical travel now includes rehab, wellness, and mental health in healing environments.
5. Government & Employer-Backed Travel: More corporates and governments are formalizing medical travel as part of healthcare policies.
6. AI & Predictive Personalization: AI helps match patients to the best doctors, anticipate complications, and optimize treatment timelines globally.
What role do you see India playing in the next wave of medical tourism?
India is poised to lead the next wave of global medical tourism—not just as a cost-effective treatment destination but as a center for healthcare innovation. With world-class hospitals, accredited facilities, and a tech-driven healthcare ecosystem, India is evolving into a globally integrated medical hub.
Are there any emerging markets you believe will become major players?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)—especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi—is becoming a major medical tourism hub due to:
• Government initiatives like Dubai Health Experience (DXH)
• Investment in luxury hospitals and executive wellness programs
• Strategic location for GCC, Africa, and CIS nations
We are also active in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the broader MENA region, which are emerging as premium healthcare destinations backed by strong policy support and growing infrastructure.
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We specialize in providing end-to-end medical value travel support through our robust, custom-built MVT.care engine, supported by our Second Opinion Network and Patient Journey Management System platforms.
The journey begins digitally, with patients or caregivers submitting their cases and reports through the MVT.care application, website, or partner channels.
GHO’s AI-assisted engine connects each case to our global Second Opinion Network of experienced doctors across all specialties. Patients are matched with doctors based on specialty, geography, and clinical expertise.
Through GHO’s telehealth facility, patients are connected with the identified doctor who will treat them in the destination country. This video consultation allows the doctor to gather more details, while helping patients become familiar with both the doctor and the procedure.
Post-treatment, our telehealth platform continues to support patients through virtual follow-ups, medication management, and report sharing.
In addition, GHO is establishing contact centres in countries from which patients travel to India or other destinations for medical treatment. Follow-up centres will also be set up in patients’ home countries, enabling them to receive ongoing care either through our telehealth facility or via a designated local doctor.
Sano Jacob Marattil, COO of Global Health Opinion Inc.
The Strategist Behind Seamless Care
With over two decades of leadership experience across healthcare, technology, AI, SaaS, and global business strategy, Sano Jacob Marattil is a visionary entrepreneur committed to transforming patient care and operational efficiency through innovation and strategic execution.
As the COO of Global Health Opinion Inc., Sano leads the development and international expansion of a transformative healthcare platform focused on second opinions, telemedicine, and AI-powered patient journey management. Under his leadership, GHO has emerged as one of the world’s most impactful healthcare technology providers—connecting patients with leading doctors and hospitals across continents, while minimizing unnecessary travel and medical risk. His emphasis on stakeholder engagement, international partnerships, and digital infrastructure keeps GHO at the forefront of global medical tourism and patient-centric care.
Sano’s influence also extends into real estate, resorts, and hospitality, where he invests in high-value projects that combine exceptional client experiences with long-term commercial viability. His unwavering focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and market scalability defines every initiative he undertakes.
An active member of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), IGBC (Indian Green Building Council), and IFMA (International Facility Management Association), Sano contributes to global dialogues on sustainable development, healthcare technology, and digital transformation.
With a dynamic global presence—including active operations and partnerships across the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Kuwait, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and India—Sano Jacob Marattil brings an international perspective to every venture. His core mission remains steadfast: to deliver personalized, technology-driven, and value-focused solutions that improve lives and drive lasting impact across industries.