India’s growing role as the world’s care destination
When people talk about medical tourism, they often use big words - growth, revenue, global hub. As a doctor, I see it very differently. I see patients who come to India because they are tired, worried, and looking for hope.
Many of these patients travel from Africa, the Middle East, nearby Asian countries, and our neighbouring nations. They do not come only because India is cheaper. They come because someone they trust told them, “Go to India. The doctors are good. The hospitals will take care of you.” Over the years, this trust has grown. I can say this from what I see in the hospital every day. International patients are no longer coming only for small procedures. Today, they come for heart surgeries, joint replacements, cancer care, brain and spine problems, and organ transplants. These are not easy treatments. Patients choose India for these only when they truly believe in the system.
Cost is, of course, an important reason. Treatment in many Western countries is extremely expensive. In India, the same treatment often costs much less. But what matters is that quality is not compromised. Big hospitals in India, which offer such treatments to international patients, also ensure world-class quality standards, along with the use of modern machines and advanced surgical techniques. Patients can sense this confidence when they interact with the medical team.
Another thing patients often tell us is that they feel cared for in Indian hospitals. Most hospitals now have international patient departments. These teams help patients with visas, travel, language issues, and follow-up after treatment. For someone coming from another country, this support reduces fear. It makes the journey less stressful.
Technology has also changed the way we treat patients. Minimally invasive surgeries, robotic procedures, and faster recovery protocols are now common. Digital records help us stay connected with patients even after they return home. But I believe technology alone is not enough. What truly matters is how we listen to patients and involve them in decisions.
The government has also played a role in supporting medical tourism. Medical visas and national programmes have made it easier for patients to come to India for treatment. These steps may not look dramatic, but they do help in a very practical way. After COVID, we are again seeing more international patients. Many had delayed treatment during the pandemic. Now they are returning, sometimes with more advanced disease. This reminds us that medical tourism is not just a business. It is a responsibility for us to build trust and to ensure that every patient, whether domestic or international, receives safe, ethical, and compassionate care.
“Vishwa Chikitsalaya”, or hospital for the world, is no longer a slogan. We are seeing it happen daily in our hospitals. This vision is also in line with the larger objective of a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India), where healthcare is integrated into India’s development, well-being, and leadership in the world, rather than only being a means of curing illnesses.
The writer is Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare; views are personal
