Medical tourism has become one of the most growing sectors in India. The reason being, India can provide medical and health care at international standard at low cost. In mid–2020, India's medical tourism sector was estimated to be worth US$5–6 billion. Around 495,056 patients visited India to seek medical care in 2017.

What is medical tourism?

When a patient travels to other states or across international borders from his home states to obtain better or cheaper medical treatment is known as a medical tourism. There are two reasons to do: one either their home state may be lacking healthcare infrastructure or having high healthcare costs. Subsequently, many people from developed countries travel to developing countries with quality healthcare infrastructure and low healthcare costs. According to a report, the medical tourism market is expected to grow to $35.77 billion in 2022. The growth is mainly due to the companies resuming their operations and adapting to the new normal after pandemic.

What India is doing to become a medical and wellness tourism destination?

To promote India as a medical and wellness tourism destination, the ministry of tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism.

It has also constituted a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board with the tourism minister as its Chairman.

In terms of activities, the ministry of tourism releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas, under the ‘Incredible India’ brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country.

The government is aggressively doing digital promotions the Social Media accounts of the Ministry on different themes including the theme of Medical Tourism.

India has also introduced Medical Visa, which can be given for specific purpose to foreign travellers coming to India for medical treatment. It has also introduced E- Medical Visa and E-Medical Attendant Visa for 156 countries.

The tourism minister of India is providing financial Assistance under Market Development Assistance Scheme to Medical Tourism Service Providers accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) for participation in Medical/ Tourism Fairs, Medical Conferences, Wellness Conferences, Wellness Fairs and allied Road Shows.