Medical Tourism India News 2025 – 1.31 Lakh Foreign Patients Arrive in First 4 Months

India’s Medical Tourism Sector Records Strong Growth in 2025

India’s healthcare sector continues its global rise, with the Ministry of Tourism reporting 1,31,856 foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) for medical purposes between January and April 2025. This figure, representing nearly 4.1% of all foreign arrivals, underscores India’s growing role as a preferred global healthcare hub.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, shared the update in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, positioning the development as a major milestone in the country’s expanding medical tourism ecosystem.

Healthcare Industry Updates: Who is Coming to India and Why?

According to official immigration data, Bangladesh remains the top source country, sending 4,82,336 patients in 2024 alone, followed by Iraq (32,008), Somalia (11,717), Oman (10,431), and Uzbekistan (8,921). These numbers reflect India’s strong reputation for affordable, high-quality care across specialties such as cardiology, oncology, organ transplants, orthopedics, and fertility treatments.

Cost competitiveness remains India’s biggest draw for international patients. For example, a heart bypass surgery costs around $5,000 in India, compared to nearly $30,000 in the U.S. Similarly, IVF treatment averages $3,000 in India, while in Western countries the cost can exceed $12,000.

Industry experts note that India’s English-speaking medical workforce, advanced hospital infrastructure, and strong government support through initiatives like Heal in India are helping the country attract patients from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

Hospital Expansion News: Major Developments Across India

Indian hospitals are expanding aggressively to meet rising demand from both domestic and foreign patients:

Apollo Hospitals (Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad) – expanding oncology and robotic surgery wings, with a focus on international patient services.
Fortis Healthcare (Gurugram, Bengaluru, Mumbai) – investing in AI-driven diagnostic centers and multilingual patient care coordinators.
Medanta – The Medicity (Gurugram) – planning to add over 500 new specialty beds by 2026, primarily for transplant and cardiac care.
Gujarat Wellness Push – The Gujarat government is promoting wellness tourism, registering holistic retreats and Ayurvedic centers on its official portals while participating in global wellness fairs.

This hospital expansion news reflects India’s dual strategy: positioning itself as a center for cutting-edge Western medicine while simultaneously promoting Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic wellness.

Government Policies Driving Growth in Medical Tourism

The Government of India has taken multiple measures to enhance accessibility for international patients:

E-Medical Visa facility extended to 171 countries for easy entry and stay.
‘Heal in India’ campaign promotes India as a global treatment destination, focusing on cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, and fertility treatments.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) support facilitators, hospitals, hotels, and airlines to build a seamless patient experience.
State-level initiatives – Gujarat, Kerala, and Karnataka are actively showcasing medical and wellness infrastructure at global exhibitions.

According to industry analysts, these policies will help India’s medical tourism market reach an estimated USD 13 billion by 2026, with an annual growth rate of over 15%.

International Patients India: Experience, Trust, and Value

For international patients, India offers not only affordability but also a blend of modern and traditional healthcare systems. Hospitals provide:

Dedicated international patient departments with multilingual staff
Shorter waiting times compared to Western healthcare systems
Holistic recovery options including yoga therapy, Ayurveda, and naturopathy

A Somalian patient treated at Medanta shared: “We chose India because the cost of a liver transplant here was one-sixth of what European hospitals quoted, and the doctors were world-class.”

Looking Ahead: India’s Medical Tourism Outlook in 2025 and Beyond

The numbers from early 2025 indicate a steady recovery from pandemic-era disruptions, with India positioned as a global leader in affordable healthcare solutions. Experts predict continued growth as more hospitals adopt digital health platforms, AI-based diagnostics, and teleconsultations to serve pre- and post-treatment international patients.

For international patients, India remains one of the most cost-effective, reliable, and diverse treatment destinations. For industry professionals, the sector promises strong growth, increased foreign exchange inflows, and opportunities in healthcare infrastructure, insurance, and allied services.

India’s medical tourism journey in 2025 is not just about numbers—it’s about trust, accessibility, and innovation in healthcare.