Government initiatives boost medical tourism in India

With a growing emphasis on medical tourism, India is attracting patients from around the world seeking high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions and the Union Government is taking steps to enhance the country’s medical tourism sector. To provide information and assistance to international patients seeking medical treatment, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a dedicated portal, Heal in India.

As a step in this direction and to facilitate the visit of foreign nationals to come to India for medical treatment, the Government of India has extended e-medical visa/ e-medical attendant visa facilities to nationals of 167 countries. Further, to expand access to healthcare services, the Government is promoting the development of medical infrastructure in Tier II and Tier III cities. This initiative aims to bring quality healthcare closer to a larger population and offer a wider range of medical treatments, including specialised procedures.

In recent years, the number of foreign tourists visiting India for medical purposes has been increasing steadily. The country witnessed a surge in medical tourists from 183,000 in 2020 to 304,000 in 2021, and further to 475,000 in 2022. The final figures for 2023 are yet to be consolidated. However, the growth over the last two years indicates a rising interest in India as a medical tourism destination.

The combined efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, facilitate patient journeys and expand visa access are also expected to contribute to the further development of India’s medical tourism sector.