I totally disagree.
It is fashionable to complain about the NHS but you very rarely hear complaints from someone who has been treated for a serious illness.

AndyD 8-)₹

And you feel very uncertain when you hear that a leading hospital in Delhi has burnt down with dozens of deaths due to flouting all fire safety norms; or that the toilet block at Goa Medical College has collapsed and the hospital has operated for months without patient toilets; that Vrundavan hospital has overflowing sewage running outside and tips medical waste in Mapusa.......!

AndyD

I think infrastructure and health & safety will always be an underlying issue in most developing countries. You just have to take a chance on that - it's either get some sort of treatment or the other option is we can't do much for this patient will have to turn the machines off.

Andy did you read my post??
I was praising the NHS. and I agree with your above statement.

But having witnessed the luxury and personal treatment relatives have got when having their knees done with their very generous work related insurance .I can appreciate some good in India.

I can also assure you from personal experience that affordable home nursing care is available in India and very difficult to get in UK. (but of course this is a private arrangement in both countries).

I think what I am gathering good information here. From what I deduce if you have funds India is good for health care. I have checked some costs and to be honest it looks very favourable ie for a years health insurance in particular. I am pleased about that. I for one cannot knock the NHS. I received excellent treatment for a rare cancer, honestly if i had gone private (which i had in the past for some things) I couldn't have wished for better care. Mind you, it was the world renowned Royal Marsden - what a brilliant lot they are. Not only did I get A1 care and treatment, I am also cured. Now that's what I call excellent treatment.

*that I am gathering

OK, no attempt at humour as it's obviously wasted.....
(Shame cos you need a good one to survive living in India )

So seriously, everyone is getting excited about Chris' figure for medical insurance, but unless things have changed in the last few years, this is ONLY available to RESIDENTS of India (legally so). It is not available to foreigners on Tourist visas, although you can bet your life (sic) that more than a few have been sold it.

(if you think it through it would be daft if tourists could buy a years medical insurance after they arrive in a foreign country, with all the implications involved)

As we all know, that "resident" status is very difficult to achieve with any sense of long term security, as I presume our new member seeks, unless.......

there is scope for PIO/OCI to be sought.

Is somewhat less than definitive........ Indian, or foreigner who happened to be in India at the (colonial) time?

If the later is the case, very very difficult, will takes years and very few (but some) succeed. Know of one, but he was born in India, not his father.

If the former, then the required documentary evidence is needed. Without this its a long hard slog.

After sorting this out for your partner, you will then need to marry. India does not recognise the status of a "partner". Once married, there is a variable waiting period for PIO/OCI status for you.

As we are all expected to be gender neutral these days, inclusive, diverse etc, I should point out that if you are same-sex couple (you don't mention) then this all goes out the window as India doesn't recognise this either, even for diplomats (tested several times).

Sorry to digress from the jolly debate on the NHS.
From personal experience, I agree with Andy's views on the Indian medical system.
But overall Bipat is talking most sense (wash my mouth out)

Partner is male, and if necessary i would marry but it would have to be absolutely necessary as I don't agree with that institution lol. His father was born there and his grandfather lived there for years as Head of Customs and Excise in Delhi so maybe he could get his POI, we will see. Thanks for all the tips though guys.

Hi Foxilady.

You don`t mention if you`ve been to Goa before and if you have how long for?

Are you aware of the monsoon period?

Can you cope with 32 degrees in the shade for most of the year and high humidity?

MsJ5 - anything is better than the weather here, although to-day has been fantastic. Could not face the winter at home, better to be ......... in the sun than the cold.

I haven't no, but boyfriend has done Himalayas on a motorbike etc - he got caught in that bad flooding in Lai 2010, so yes we know about monsoon period etc and plan to go November thru December

November thru December - sure
October thru March - fine

September thru April - OK

+May - early June - maybe, some years
+ monsoons I hear can be quite OK

but prickly heat is irritating <s>

AndyD 8-)₹

cheers Andy

<snip>

National Insurance in Mapusa offers a Hospitalisation Policy to foreigners and there are many affiliated hospitals that you can use. Other than that the policy covers the whole of India and you claim the expenses from the company. The only thing is you have to have a medical before they accept you.

I totally agree Noni!

If you`d never been to Goa before and saw it now for the first time ,rather than all those years ago when we first came and it was still beautiful,would you even consider retiring here!