India leads global medical tourism but patient experience will define the next phase

New Delhi: A recent Policybazaar report notes that cultural comfort, savings of up to 90% on major surgeries and strong on-ground support are accelerating the growth of India’s medical tourism sector.
NRI participation has risen by 150% year-on-year, driven largely by the availability of high-quality care at affordable prices. Health insurance premiums in India remain 25–40x cheaper than Western countries, leading to a 125% rise in adoption among women and a 148% increase among those under 35. Interestingly, 46% of NRI claims now come from Tier-3 cities — highlighting growing trust in India’s expanding hospital network.
Procedures such as heart bypass, knee replacements, liver and kidney transplants deliver dramatic cost benefits, with average NRI claims ranging between $20,000 and $40,000 even for complex surgeries. Government initiatives like Heal in India and bundled offerings (visa + travel + post-operative care) are further strengthening India’s position.
Rajeev Taneja, Founder and CEO, GlobalCare Health believes the momentum in India’s medical tourism sector is driven by more than just cost. “India has become a global healthcare destination not only because procedures like heart bypass surgery cost around $7,000 compared to $123,000 in the U.S., but because the overall healthcare ecosystem is strong, integrated and highly advanced,” he says.
According to Sonam Garg Sharma, Founder & CEO, Medical Linkers, India’s strength lies in its blend of quality, affordability and cultural understanding. “Patients receive globally benchmarked care at significantly lower costs, supported by India’s democratic stability, English-speaking clinicians and efficient facilitation systems. Increasingly, patients are looking for not just treatment but a compassionate, outcome-driven journey — and that’s where India excels,” she notes.
Pankaj Chandna, Co-Founder, Vaidam Health attributes the growth in medical tourism to India’s ability to deliver high-quality care with global accessibility. “International patients benefit from shorter wait times, world-class infrastructure and English-speaking specialists, all at a fraction of Western costs. Government initiatives like the Ayush Visa and e-Medical Visa, combined with digital health platforms and a strong base of JCI- and NABH-accredited hospitals, have further boosted patient confidence,” he explains.
Huge growth opportunity 
The Indian medical tourism industry was valued at approximately $7–8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $13 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of over 15%. Patients from countries like the US, UK, Gulf nations, Bangladesh, Nepal, and African nations are key contributors to the inflow of medical tourists. Cost savings of 60–90% on major surgeries compared to the US and Europe is a major growth driver. There is rising interest in alternative therapies such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and holistic wellness alongside allopathic treatment. Increased digital adoption, telemedicine, and insurance coverage for overseas patients are boosting the sector’s reach. South Indian cities (Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kerala) are top destinations due to the availability of multi-specialty hospitals, skilled doctors, and cultural hospitality. Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune and Thane also ranking high in terms of treatment locations.
Rajeev Taneja explains that India has emerged as a leading destination for complex procedures — ranging from cardiac and orthopaedic surgeries to oncology, neurosurgery, transplants and fertility treatments. In 2023 alone, more than two million international patients travelled to the country, attracted not only by medical expertise but by the quality of care, transparency and access to multidisciplinary teams. Centres of Excellence across India offer world-class outcomes at a fraction of Western costs.
Sonam Garg Sharma adds that patients are no longer coming only for traditional specialties — there is growing demand for precision treatments such as CyberKnife. What distinguishes India is not just technology, but the combination of rapid access, cross-specialty collaboration and a compassionate, patient-centric approach.
Pankaj Chandna notes that India continues to attract patients for cardiac, oncology, orthopaedic and transplant care due to its strong clinical outcomes, transparent pricing and globally trained physicians. Modern hospital infrastructure, multilingual support and partnerships with leading insurers have played a major role in building and sustaining patient trust.”
The competition
Once regarded as the clear leader in Asian medical tourism, India drew patients from across the globe with its renowned doctors, advanced treatments and significant cost savings. For years, its hospitals in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai were buzzing with international visitors.
But over time, regional competitors started stepping in. Thailand blended healthcare with hospitality, turning treatments into luxury experiences. Singapore built a reputation for high-end, precision-based procedures. Malaysia offered seamless, government-supported patient journeys. Korea focused on specialised services like cosmetic and fertility treatments, while Dubai introduced a premium, five-star approach to medical care.
Rajeev Taneja feels that while countries like Thailand, Turkey and Singapore are known for their quality, India provides comparable and often better outcomes at much lower cost. “A hip replacement here averages around $7,000, compared with $13,000 in Singapore and $12,000 in Thailand. A cardiac bypass can be done for about $7,000 versus $30,000 in Singapore.”
He adds that India’s advantage isn’t just cost. “The country offers a fully integrated healthcare ecosystem – from Centres of Excellence and modern hospital infrastructure to clinician upskilling, digital platforms and international partnerships. JCI and NABH accreditation ensure the highest standards of safety and quality are maintained.”
Pankaj Chandna highlights the need to simplify visa processes, raise service standards uniformly across hospitals, and increase awareness in underserved regions. “Language and cultural differences can affect patient comfort without suitably trained support staff. To address this, a more coordinated approach involving government, hospitals, insurers and facilitators is essential.”
With patients now choosing destinations based not only on price and clinical outcomes but on overall experience, India realised it had to adapt. In response, leading hospital chains began investing in dedicated international patient departments, multilingual support services and online consultation platforms. Medical tourism boards ramped up global branding campaigns, and new government policies have been introduced to simplify visas and strengthen accreditation.
India still holds a strong position — but now it is competing not just on cost and expertise, but on creating a complete, personalised medical travel experience.
Biggest roadblocks 
Even as India attracts thousands of international patients every year, cracks are beginning to show beneath the surface. Patients praise Indian doctors, but often struggle with language barriers, inconsistent service quality and patchy infrastructure once they step outside the hospital doors. Many wonder why there isn’t a single, coordinated medical tourism program like the ones offered by Malaysia or Thailand. They ask why India — despite its clinical strength — doesn’t market its capabilities more aggressively on the global stage. That is India’s biggest challenge right now: the treatments are excellent, but the overall experience still feels fragmented and difficult. And in a global market where convenience and trust matter just as much as cost, those roadblocks can make all the difference.
Both Rajeev Taneja and Sonam Garg Sharma are of the opinion that visa delays, uneven service standards and fragmented regulations still create friction for international patients. Pankaj Chandna recommends strong English-language support and tech-enabled facilitators help create a patient-friendly ecosystem.
Outlook
The outlook remains highly positive, with the sector projected to grow from $7–8 billion in 2024 to $13 billion by 2026. Rising healthcare costs globally, growing awareness of India’s clinical strength and renewed government focus on digital health, accreditation, and cross-border insurance are expected to sustain growth.
“In the next decade, we’ll see stronger hospital networks, tech-enabled patient journeys and deeper cross-border collaboration. India must move from being just a treatment destination to becoming a long-term health ally,” says Sonam Garg Sharma.
“With digital health, remote diagnostics and global insurance tie-ups, the sector is set for exponential growth. The next phase of leadership, however, will be defined by ethical care, patient trust and data protection,” adds Pankaj Chandna.
The success will depend on how quickly India can close experience-related gaps — particularly in branding, end-to-end patient support and infrastructure. If those improvements are made, India could not only retain its position as a value-driven destination but also move up the chain as a trusted, holistic healthcare hub.

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