Medical tourism is booming in Karnataka and the prospects for growth are second only to the information technology sector.

At least that's the word among tourism and medical care specialists who note that Bangalore alone, the Karnataka capital, boasts 25 medical centres, including eight cardiac hospitals of world-class standards.

The city also hosts a wide range of complementary or alternative therapies that are unique to Karnataka. One alternative therapy centre, Soukya, has hosted Sarah, Duchess of York; and Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. This week's celebrity guest at the clinic is former Prime Minister Deve Gowda.

According to Karnataka tourism commissioner Mahendra Jain, such alternative therapy centres within the state are so successful that they are currently generating foreign exchange of $10 million a year, a figure that is expected to double and even treble within the next two years.

"Karnataka's facilities are the best in the country, that's why we have taken the lead in promoting health tourism," says Jain, who was recently in London to participate in the World Tourism Mart.

"Because we have these facilities available, we thought it appropriate to promote them. Recently, when baby Noor Fatima from Pakistan came for treatment, she attracted a lot of media attention. Her parents brought her to Bangalore because we have people like Dr Devi Shetty, who is a very renowned figure," he said.

"That's what triggered it off, but otherwise we always knew Banaglore had great potential because of its climate and facilities available and in any case people are coming here for business, tourism, etc. So we thought it would be appropriate to promote health tourism," he added.

London and Kerala-trained Dr Issac Mathai, medical director of Soukya, is the patron saint or godfather of the clinic where starting rates at $40 per hour for the cheapest treatment are lapped up by both Indians and foreigners who need that extra special touch for their particular ailment.

Accommodation with food starts from $90 per night at the clinic, which is spread across a 30-acre site, in which guests or patents are accommodated in individual cottages.

A spokeswoman for Dr Mathai, said, "Some people come here for a day package, others for medical treatment. Dr Mathai puts them under the treatment of a particular doctor who designs a programme for them that incorporates different types of treatment. It is all done under one roof and it is very care specific."

"We have a wide spectrum ranging from ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, homeopathy, healing and a whole lot of other things," Jain said, adding: "Whether it is Soukya, Angasana, Ayurgrama, or Golden Star owned by Sanjay Khan, they offer a wide range of complementary medicine."

"The accommodation is very nice providing five star cottage facility, swimming pool, etc. They offer aromatherapy, yoga, naturo therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, healing, a wide range of therapies -- all available under one roof," he added.