To cement India’s position as a premier global healthcare destination, the Government is developing a comprehensive online portal for Medical Value Travel (MVT). Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, announced the initiative at FICCI’s Medical Value Travel Conference.
One Digital Platform to Streamline Patient Experience
The upcoming digital ecosystem will integrate key stakeholders—including hospitals, facilitators, travel agents, hotels, translators, and support services—into a single, unified portal. The aim is to simplify and enhance the international patient journey across the continuum of care.
Minister Jadhav also outlined plans to extend healthcare ecosystems beyond major cities by promoting MVT infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 towns. The strategy involves collaborating with private partners to improve end-to-end services such as treatment coordination, travel logistics, and post-treatment follow-up.
Call for Reduced Regulatory Burden
NITI Aayog Member, Prof. Vinod K. Paul, emphasized the ongoing government effort to reduce regulatory obstacles. “We are systematically looking at how to ease the compliance burden for facility creation in cities and smaller towns,” he said, encouraging industry input to guide these reforms.
Telemedicine, Transparency and Global Trust
Highlighting the potential of telemedicine, Dr. Paul noted India’s leadership in the field while pointing out the need to resolve legal complexities. “When I give advice to a patient in Ethiopia or Finland, what is my liability? India should lead this conversation,” he stated.
He also called for more government-to-government healthcare agreements, improved accreditation standards, and greater transparency to build international trust.
India’s MVT Market Set for Strong Growth
India’s Medical Value Travel market reached $7.69 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to over $14.31 billion by 2029. Holding an 18% share of the global MVT market, India currently ranks tenth in the Medical Value Travel Index.
AYUSH Sector Emerges as a Growth Driver
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, advocated for integrating India’s traditional medicine systems—such as Ayurveda and Unani—into MVT offerings. He proposed developing a “clinical medical travel circuit,” modeled after tourism circuits.
According to a study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), the AYUSH sector in India—including MVT—is valued at nearly $30 billion, with the broader industry including products and services reaching $55 billion.
However, Kotecha also highlighted a gap. “We rank seventh globally in medical value travel, but only twentieth in wellness tourism. Global growth in medical travel is 10.8%, but we are lagging. We must think strategically to harness this opportunity,” he urged.
Visa Reforms and IT Integration Essential
Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, noted that medical tourism constitutes 6% of India’s total foreign tourist arrivals. In 2023, about 644,000 foreign nationals visited India on e-medical and e-AYUSH visas from 20 countries.
While 174 countries have access to these visas, Sinha stressed the need to upgrade the AYUSH portal. This upgrade would ensure a smoother, faster, and more systematic visa application process. “We must use India’s IT strength to build an efficient, encrypted, and multilingual platform that safeguards patient data from cyber fraud and misuse,” she said.
Industry Leaders Emphasize Holistic and Collaborative Approach
As per the press release, Dr. Upasana Arora, Chair of FICCI’s MVT Committee and Managing Director of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, highlighted India’s unique healthcare model. “We offer holistic healing—not just modern science but also traditional systems like Unani and Ayurveda,” she said.
Adding to this, Dr. Raajiv Singhal, Co-Chair of the MVT Committee and Managing Director & CEO of Marengo Asia Hospitals, underlined a shift in focus. “India’s MVT strategy is evolving from just acquiring patients to forming international clinical partnerships. We aim to teach, train, and treat globally through collaborative ‘clinical corridors,’” he said.
Conclusion: A Unified Vision for Global Healthcare Leadership
India’s strategic investments in digital integration, regulatory easing, and traditional medicine signal a strong move to become a global leader. Additionally, international collaboration further strengthens its position in medical value travel. The government and industry’s collective efforts position the country to offer world-class, holistic, and accessible healthcare solutions to international patients.