Medical Value Travel: Opportunities, Challenges & Government Initiatives

7 May 2026

India is increasingly positioning itself as a global centre for Medical Value Travel (MVT) through the combination of advanced healthcare infrastructure and traditional wellness systems such as AYUSH.

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About Medical Value Travel (MVT)

Medical Value Travel (MVT) refers to the cross-border movement of patients for curative medical treatment and preventive wellness services.
It combines modern healthcare with traditional wellness systems such as AYUSH to promote holistic well-being.
According to the Medical Tourism Index 2020–21:
- India ranks 10th among the top 46 medical tourism destinations globally
- 12th among the world’s top 20 wellness tourism markets
- 5th among the top 10 wellness destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pillars of MVT

Medical Tourism (Curative Care): Focuses on advanced medical treatment and surgeries.
- Major Services in India
  - Cardiac surgeries
  - Organ transplants
  - Cancer treatment
  - Orthopaedic and neurological procedures
- Key Features
  - High-quality healthcare
  - Affordable treatment costs
  - Advanced medical technology
Wellness Tourism (Preventive Care): Emphasises holistic health, lifestyle improvement, and preventive healthcare.
- Major Components: Yoga, Ayurveda and Naturopathy

Global and Indian Market Trends

Global MVT market size (2022): Around USD 115.6 billion
Projected global market by 2030: Around USD 286.1 billion
India’s medical tourism market (2025): Around USD 8.7 billion
Projected Indian market by 2030: Around USD 16.2 billion

India’s Strengths as Global MVT Hub

Strong Healthcare Infrastructure: India has over 69,000 hospitals and around 1.2 million registered doctors.
- Meets WHO-recommended doctor-population ratio.
Cost-Effective Treatment: Medical procedures are significantly cheaper compared to developed countries while maintaining quality standards.
Advanced Accreditation System: Hospitals are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
AYUSH Advantage: India has a unique strength in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

Government Initiatives

National Strategy for Medical Tourism: Promotion of “Heal in India” under a coordinated national framework.
Liberalised Visa Regime: e-Medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa extended to citizens of 172 countries.
Digital Initiatives: Revamped MVT portal for booking, payments, and post-treatment services.
- Airport concierge and facilitation services for international patients.
Infrastructure Expansion: Proposal for new All India Institutes of Ayurveda.
- Strengthening of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar.

Challenges in Medical & Wellness Tourism

Lack of Standardisation: AYUSH therapies often lack globally accepted protocols and certification standards.
Infrastructure Gaps: Advanced healthcare facilities remain concentrated in metropolitan cities.
Ethical and Regulatory Concerns: Issues related to organ transplant ethics and malpractice risks can affect credibility.
Workforce Shortages: Limited availability of trained paramedical staff, interpreters, and culturally sensitive service providers.
Weak Global Branding: India’s “Heal in India” campaign remains less visible compared to countries like Thailand and Turkey.

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Way Forward

Standardisation of AYUSH: Develop evidence-based protocols and internationally accepted certification systems.
Strengthening Accreditation: Expand NABH coverage and ensure regular quality audits.
Development of Tier-2 Medical Hubs: Promote advanced healthcare infrastructure beyond metropolitan cities.
Global Branding: Aggressively promote “Heal in India” through international campaigns.
Integrated Digital Ecosystem: Strengthen MVT portals for seamless treatment, booking, and follow-up care.