India is strengthening its medical tourism strategy with new measures aimed at improving the international patient journey, expanding hospital participation and increasing the global visibility of its healthcare sector
India is stepping up efforts to establish itself as a major destination for international medical treatment as the government expands its Heal in India initiative and calls for closer cooperation between hospitals, insurers, health technology companies and patient facilitators.
The latest push follows a five-point action plan presented by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the Bharat Health Global Expo 2026 in New Delhi. The strategy focuses on quality standards, international promotion and a more seamless experience for patients travelling to India for healthcare.
The initiative comes as India already receives substantial numbers of international patients. Government figures show that 507,244 foreign nationals travelled to the country specifically for medical treatment in 2025, accounting for around 5.5 percent of foreign tourist arrivals.
More hospitals to join Heal in India
One priority is to increase the number of hospitals participating in the Heal in India gateway and improve transparency around treatment packages offered to international patients.
The government is also seeking stronger quality controls for healthcare providers serving patients from abroad. Hospitals participating in international patient programs are expected to meet accreditation requirements and provide reliable information about their services.
Another element of the strategy involves training and certifying caregivers to create a workforce capable of supporting international standards of patient care.
India also wants medical tourism to expand beyond the country's largest metropolitan areas. Hospitals and wellness facilities in smaller cities could increasingly be promoted internationally as part of the country's healthcare offering.
Digital services to simplify the patient journey
Technology is expected to play a greater role before, during and after a medical trip.
India is developing its Medical Value Travel infrastructure to provide international patients with a more integrated journey covering the search for treatment, planning, payments and post-treatment care.
The government has also encouraged insurers and health technology companies to develop services that simplify reimbursement and expand access to cashless payments.
Telemedicine could become another component of the international patient journey, allowing consultations and initial medical assessments to take place before patients travel to India.
Visa procedures have already been adapted to support the sector. E-Medical Visa and E-Medical Attendant Visa facilities are available to nationals of 172 countries, while separate visa categories have been introduced for international visitors seeking treatments based on traditional Indian medical systems.
Medical services combined with wellness
India's international healthcare strategy encompasses both conventional medical treatment and the country's established wellness sector.
International patients travel to India for procedures including cardiac surgery, orthopedic treatment, oncology, organ transplantation, neurological interventions, cosmetic surgery, dentistry and fertility treatment.
At the same time, the country is promoting Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy and other traditional healthcare systems under the broader Medical Value Travel strategy.
Government plans also include five Regional Medical Hubs designed to combine healthcare, research, education, diagnostics, rehabilitation and services for international patients.
Airport services planned for medical travelers
The expansion of India's medical tourism infrastructure is also expected to extend to the arrival experience.
Plans include dedicated Medical Value Travel concierge services and lounges at important airports. These facilities are intended to assist international patients with processes including immigration, customs and baggage collection.
Such services would address an important part of medical travel that extends beyond the treatment itself, particularly for patients arriving with reduced mobility or requiring assistance immediately after long-distance journeys.
Quality becomes central to India's medical tourism ambitions
The latest government strategy places particular emphasis on maintaining standards while expanding the sector.
Accreditation, transparent treatment packages and verified healthcare providers are intended to strengthen confidence among international patients and differentiate providers on the basis of healthcare quality rather than price alone.
The government is also seeking greater international promotion of Indian healthcare providers and partnerships with hospitals and facilitators in overseas markets.
With more than half a million international medical arrivals recorded in 2025 and further investment planned in digital services, patient facilitation and healthcare infrastructure, Heal in India is developing into a central element of the country's international healthcare strategy.
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