India emerges as medical tourism hub increasingly drawing patients from West, Gulf
New Delhi, July 1
India's emergence as a major destination for medical tourism is drawing patients from North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the Middle East and neighbouring countries, a report said on Wednesday.
The report from Awaaz said patients from these countries are attracted by low-cost treatment, combination of internationally accredited hospitals, doctors trained at leading global institutions and advanced medical technology.
"Many complex procedures in India can cost far less than similar treatment in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand," the report said.
Further, long waiting periods in Western countries are also drawing patients to India. Long waiting periods for specialist appointments or elective procedures can worsen pain, reduce mobility, cause anxiety or delay in diagnosis.
"Treatments such as cardiac surgery, joint replacement, oncology care, fertility treatment, eye surgery, dental care and some specialist procedures are often available at a fraction of the price charged in many Western systems," it said.
A strong network of accredited hospitals, especially in Chennai, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kerala serve international patients and offer dedicated support teams to help with medical reports, appointments, treatment planning, travel guidance and recovery coordination.
"Hospitals in India now routinely provide advanced services in cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, organ transplantation, fertility care, ophthalmology, robotic surgery, intensive care and rehabilitation," the media house said.
The report credited India's strong healthcare quality framework supported by accreditation systems such as NABH, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, and JCI, Joint Commission International.
Patients can receive a second opinion, cost estimate using India's medical tourism model.
Further, the combination of modern medicine and traditional wellness support is another unique strength of India. "Patients often choose to combine surgery or treatment with structured recovery, physiotherapy and wellness-based rehabilitation," the report noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Canada, I can confirm the waiting times are brutal. I waited 8 months for a hip replacement. Eventually I traveled to Mumbai and had the surgery within 10 days of arrival. The hospital was immaculate, nurses were kind, and follow-up care was excellent. Worth every penny.
This is great for our economy, but we must be careful not to create a two-tier healthcare system. What about the millions of Indians who still struggle to get basic treatment in rural areas? We need to ensure that medical tourism revenue is reinvested into our public health infrastructure. 🇮🇳
We came from the UK for fertility treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad. The cost was about 70% less than in London. The doctors were trained at Cambridge and Harvard. We now have twins! India truly offers world-class medicine with a human touch. Thank you 🙏
As a healthcare professional, I see both sides. Yes, our private hospitals are excellent and attract foreign patients. But the gap between private and public healthcare is vast. We should celebrate this achievement while also working towards universal healthcare for every Indian. They come for quality, we should ensure quality for all.
From Australia, got my cardiac surgery in Chennai. Initially nervous about traveling abroad for treatment, but the hospital assigned a coordinator who handled everything from visa assistance to post-op physiotherapy. The cost was one-third of what I'd pay back home. The Ayurvedic recovery program was a bonus!
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