India Bets Big on Global Medical Tourism with Ayurveda and Indigenous Treatments

by Mark Zuleger-Thyss June 11, 2023

MEDICAL TOURISM

India Bets Big on Global Medical Tourism with Ayurveda and Indigenous Treatments

Ayurveda is one of the inseparable medical treatment methods in India, attracting visitors from all over the world.

By Mark Zuleger-Thyss

The hospitality industry has been witnessing a surge in medical tourism since the end of the COVID-19 era. But in 2014, well before the pandemic, India put initiatives into place to address the future demands of medical tourism.

With its big-ticket 'Heal in India' initiative, the Government expects to promote its global image in the medical tourism sector in the country.

The focus is to push medical tourism in India via a tech-heavy portal called 'One Step' Heal in India. The country is still awaiting its final launch date and is in the final fine-tuning phase. For one thing, it seeks to encourage healthcare workers to go abroad.

In November 2014, the Government set up the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) to promote education and research related to these fields.

The 'One Step' digital platform offers multiple services to foreign patients, such as easy airport coordination, accessing the patient's documents, addressing queries, and introducing medical visas. It also provides information about hospitals and treatment procedures offered by them and their prices.

The portal functions as a one-point information site to help to guide potential medical tourists from across the globe. It will also cover Ayurveda and wellness centers, besides accredited allopathic medical facilities.

Medical Tourism Market in India

India's Medical Tourism Market segments itself by treatment type (dental, cosmetic, cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurological, cancer, fertility, and other treatments) and service provider (public and private).

Medical value travel (MVT) in India got a significant boost in 2023 on the back of pent-up demand and the soaring cost of treatment in the West. The Russia-Ukraine war also drove more patients for medical care to India.

Overall, the global MVT market will grow from $13.98 billion in 2021 to $53.51 billion in 2028.

According to the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), around 14 million people globally travel to other countries for medical treatment every year.

Ayurveda is Inseparable from the Indian People

By leveraging traditional and indigenous medicine, wellness, therapeutic use of Ayurveda, and yoga, combined with a focus on the curative aspects of healthcare, India looks to add $9 billion to its economy by 2026.

India's low cost of treatment, many highly trained English-speaking doctors, and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment make the country one of the more sought-after destinations among overseas patients.

Compared to the United States, Australia, Singapore, or the United Kingdom, India can provide cost savings of up to 65-90 percent, which is significant for patients. Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are India's top destinations for MVT.

Summary

With its big-ticket 'Heal in India' initiative, the Government expects to promote its global image in the medical tourism sector in the country.

The focus is to push medical tourism in India via a tech-heavy portal called 'One Step' Heal in India.

Medical value travel in India significantly boosted in 2023 due to pent-up demand and the soaring cost of treatment in the West. The Russia-Ukraine war also drove more patients from both countries for medical care to India.

According to the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), around 14 million people globally travel to other countries for medical treatment every year.