Geopolitical instability, Visa denial of India’s medical tourism industry’s key challenges: Experts | Indian News
India’s medical tourism industry is experiencing significant growth, positioning the country as a leading destination for affordable and high-quality medical services. In 2024, the industry is worth approximately US$7.69 billion, with approximately 7.3 million foreign patients seeking medical care in India. Forecasts suggest that the market could hit $18 billion by 2027, driven by factors such as cost-effective treatments, advanced medical technology and government initiatives.
Main driving force
“India offers medical procedures at a fraction of the cost compared to developed countries. For instance, a heart bypass surgery in India costs around USD 5,000, whereas the same procedure in the United States can cost approximately USD 123,000. This affordability, combined with a robust healthcare infrastructure featuring over 1,600 NABH-accredited hospitals and numerous JCI-accredited facilities, attracts patients from regions like West Asia, Medigence founder and CEO Amit Bansal said.
He said government initiatives such as the “Indian Treatment” campaign and the introduction of Ayush visas have simplified the visa process and promoted traditional health therapy, further enhancing India’s appeal as a medical tourism hub, but there is still a lot to be done.
Challenges facing the department
Despite a positive trajectory, the medical tourism industry in India still faces some challenges:
Infrastructure Differences: Although metropolitan areas have advanced medical facilities, rural areas often lack adequate medical infrastructure, resulting in uneven service quality across the country.
Regulatory barriers
“The complex licensing procedures and inconsistent regulations in the states could delay the delivery of services and prevent investment in the industry. Then, there are visa barriers. Many times, a patient gets a visa but their families don’t get a visa, which creates a huge environment of mockery and deterrence.”
Geopolitical instability: Political unrest in neighboring countries such as Pakistan Bangladesh has led to a sharp decline in inflows of medical tourism, highlighting the vulnerability of the industry to regional conflicts.
Quality and safety issues: Inconsistency in service quality and safety standards at different facilities can undermine patient confidence and
Future prospects
To sustain growth and address existing challenges, India must focus on enhancing healthcare infrastructure in all regions, standardizing regulations and ensuring consistency in quality and safety standards. By leveraging its cost advantage and expanding its coverage to new markets, India has the potential to consolidate its position as a global leader in healthcare tourism.
