NEW DELHI, September 7: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said India should aim to serve 10 million international patients every year, highlighting medical value tourism as a major opportunity for economic growth, employment generation and strengthening India’s global healthcare reputation.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Sanjeevani 2026 at the Bharat Health Global Expo in New Delhi on Monday, Goyal unveiled a five-point action plan aimed at developing India into a leading destination for international healthcare and wellness services.
Target of 10 Million International Patients Annually
Goyal said around 3.5 million international patients have benefited from India’s medical value tourism ecosystem during the last seven years, but the country has the capacity to dramatically increase that number.
He said India should now set an ambitious target of serving more than 10 million patients annually, supported by its doctors, healthcare infrastructure, technology and competitive treatment costs.
According to the minister, India possesses the necessary medical talent and ecosystem to emerge as one of the world’s leading healthcare destinations.
Indian Healthcare Costs 60–80% Lower
Goyal highlighted affordability as one of India’s biggest competitive advantages in the global healthcare market.
He said treatment costs in India can be around 60% to 80% lower than in many developed countries, while the country also offers clinical expertise and access to advanced medical technologies.
India’s healthcare offering extends across several areas, including:
- Hospitals and specialised treatments
- Diagnostics and medical equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Traditional medicine and wellness
- Doctors, nurses and trained technicians
- Preventive and rehabilitative healthcare
Goyal said rising healthcare costs, ageing populations and long waiting periods in several countries create a major opportunity for India.
Five-Point Plan for Medical Value Tourism
During his address, Goyal outlined a five-point strategy to strengthen India’s medical tourism ecosystem.
The plan focuses on:
- Training and certifying caregivers to international standards
- Bringing more hospitals onto the Heal in India platform
- Developing insurance and health-tech solutions for seamless patient journeys
- Promoting Indian healthcare internationally through global partnerships
- Expanding high-quality healthcare and wellness facilities beyond major metropolitan cities
The minister said different sections of the healthcare industry must work together rather than operate independently if India wants to build a world-leading medical value travel system.
More Hospitals Urged to Join Heal in India Gateway
Goyal called on hospitals to participate more actively in the government’s Heal in India gateway and make treatment packages transparent for overseas patients.
He stressed that hospitals should provide accurate information and follow ethical practices while dealing with patients arriving from other countries.
The minister warned that unethical practices by even a small number of operators could damage India’s reputation and reduce confidence among international patients.
NABH Accreditation and Quality Standards in Focus
Goyal also emphasised the need to maintain strict quality standards across hospitals catering to foreign patients.
He said only properly verified and NABH-accredited or empanelled healthcare facilities should be allowed to serve patients arriving through organised medical tourism channels.
He stressed the importance of:
- Quality healthcare delivery
- Transparent treatment pricing
- Professional integrity
- Patient-centric services
- Ethical certification processes
- Zero tolerance for corruption
Goyal said India’s healthcare sector must build long-term international trust rather than focus only on short-term commercial gains.
Telemedicine Could Begin Patient Journey Before Arrival
The minister also urged insurers and health-technology companies to develop services that make the experience easier for overseas patients.
He suggested greater integration of:
- Cashless payment facilities
- Faster insurance reimbursements
- Digital patient-management systems
- Teleconsultations
- Telemedicine services
Telemedicine, he said, could become the first stage of an international patient’s healthcare journey, allowing consultations and preliminary assessments before travelling to India.
Medical Tourism Push Beyond Metro Cities
Goyal said India’s medical tourism industry should not remain concentrated only in major cities.
He urged states to promote high-quality hospitals and wellness centres in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, potentially bringing investment, infrastructure and employment opportunities to more regions.
Expanding healthcare capacity outside metropolitan centres could also improve medical facilities available to domestic patients, he said.
Global Promotion of Indian Healthcare Needed
Another part of the government’s proposed strategy involves increasing India’s healthcare presence internationally.
Goyal called for exhibitions, presentations, overseas facilitators and partnerships with hospitals in other countries to connect potential international patients with verified Indian healthcare providers.
He said India must build a seamless system covering the entire patient journey—from initial consultation and travel to treatment, insurance, recovery and follow-up care.
Sanjeevani 2026 Opens at Bharat Mandapam
Sanjeevani 2026 is being held from September 7 to September 9 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as an international platform focused on healthcare, wellness and medical value tourism.
The event is expected to bring together more than 300 Indian companies and over 5,000 visitors, providing opportunities for business meetings, industry partnerships and knowledge-sharing.
Its key sectors include:
- Medical Value Tourism
- Hospitals and healthcare providers
- Medical and wellness services
- Insurance and patient facilitation
- Preventive healthcare
- International healthcare partnerships
India Eyes Bigger Role in Global Healthcare
Goyal said medical value tourism has the potential to generate substantial employment and business opportunities while also building international goodwill for India.
He noted that many countries face shortages of doctors, nurses, technicians and caregivers, alongside rising healthcare costs and long waiting lists for specialist treatment.
With lower costs, a large pool of healthcare professionals and expanding medical infrastructure, the government believes India can substantially increase its share of the global healthcare and wellness market.
The 10 million annual international patient target represents a significant expansion from current levels and would require closer coordination among hospitals, governments, insurers, health-tech companies and patient facilitators.
source – Press Information Bureau / Akashvani News
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