India will earn over Rs.8,000crore in foreign exchange through medical tourism by 2012, according to a study. It has been promoted by way of easy visa to patients and the best emerging medical infrastructure in large and tertiary towns. At present, the annual earnings are estimated at Rs. 3,500 crore, said the study conducted by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A comparison of treatment cost shows that a bone marrow transplant entails $2,00,000 in the United States, up to $2,00,000 in the United Kingdom, $62,500 in Thailand and just around $20,000 in India. Bypass surgery will cost $15,000-20,000 in the U.S., around $20,000 in the U.K., $14,250 in Thailand and $4,000-6,000 in India. The cost of knee surgery is $16,000-17,000; $15,000; $7,000 and $1,000. Thanks, to higher medical expenses in the West, patients from Africa, Gulf and Asian countries have started exploring treatment options in hospitals in various places in India, says the.study. Indian medical infrastructure is geared to provide non-subsidised medical treatment at a much lower cost, considered reasonable. India will emerge as a lead hub for excellent treatment also because of its strength of highly qualified medical professionals and nurses. It has about seven lakh qualified doctors, the study points out. The traditional homoeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurvedic and Unani systems are also attracting patients because of their nil side-effect, says the study.