Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal outlined a comprehensive five-point action plan to position India as a global medical value tourism hub during the inaugural ceremony of Sanjeevani 2026 at Bharat Health Global Expo 2026 in New Delhi. The minister set an ambitious target of 10 million medical value tourists annually, significantly up from the 3.5 million patients served over the past seven years.
Five-Point Action Plan
The first priority involves training and certifying caregivers to develop a skilled workforce capable of providing international-standard healthcare. Second, hospitals are encouraged to join the Heal in India gateway and publish honest, transparent treatment packages with strict ethical practices. Third, insurers and health-tech companies are called upon to build products and platforms ensuring seamless patient journeys, timely reimbursements, cashless payments, and teleconsultation integration. Fourth, the plan includes organizing global exhibitions, establishing international facilitators and hospital tie-ups, while ensuring only NABH-accredited hospitals treat international patients. Fifth, states are urged to focus on quality expansion beyond metropolitan areas to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, creating jobs and infrastructure while upgrading healthcare for Indian patients.
Competitive Advantages and Current Performance
India offers clinical excellence, advanced technologies, and healthcare costs 60-80% lower than developed countries. The country's healthcare ecosystem includes pharmaceuticals, medtech, diagnostics, traditional medicines (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani), doctors, technicians, nurses, and caregivers. The minister highlighted that 3.5 million patients have benefited from India's medical value tourism in the last seven years.
Quality and Ethical Standards
Goyal emphasized zero tolerance for corruption in healthcare certification, stating that NABH must maintain highest standards with zero compromise. He stressed that quality healthcare must be identical for Indians and foreigners, with no discrimination between rich and poor. The minister revealed that the government has not referred a single case to NABH, indicating the system is professionally managed, and urged stakeholders to report any unethical practices by certifying bodies.
Global Context and Opportunities
The changing global healthcare landscape presents opportunities as the world ages while India remains young, with many countries facing long waiting lists and tertiary care shortages. Countries engaged in FTA discussions with India are seeking high-quality pharmaceuticals, doctors, technicians, nurses, and caregivers. The minister also highlighted preventive healthcare and wellness ecosystems, including Ayurveda in Kerala and wellness centers across the country.
Domestic Healthcare Initiatives
On healthcare for Indians, Goyal highlighted Ayushman Bharat which covers healthcare expenses for poor families and provides additional ₹5 lakh coverage for all persons above 70 years regardless of income. He referenced India's COVID-19 response where vaccines were provided free to countries that couldn't afford them and sold at $2-3 per dose compared to $25-30 from developed countries, with export controls implemented to prevent medicine hoarding by rich nations.
Philosophical Foundation
The minister cited the Upanishadic expression "Sarvesantu Niramaya" (may all beings be free from illness) and described "One World, One Health" as part of India's ethos of shared global healthcare responsibility. He emphasized that India must continue ensuring healthcare for its own people isn't compromised while serving the world, creating economic opportunities and societal benefits through medical value tourism.