Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal outlined a comprehensive five-point action plan to strengthen India's medical value tourism ecosystem and position the country as a global gateway for international health and wellness services. The announcement was made during the inaugural ceremony of Sanjeevani 2026 at Bharat Health Global Expo 2026 in New Delhi.
Strategic Action Plan
The first priority involves training and certifying caregivers to develop a skilled workforce capable of providing healthcare meeting international standards. The second point emphasizes encouraging more hospitals to join the Heal in India gateway while publishing honest and transparent treatment packages, with strict adherence to ethical practices and zero tolerance for cheating patients.
The third component calls upon insurers and health-tech companies to build products and platforms that create seamless patient journeys, ensuring timely reimbursements and greater availability of cashless payments. The Minister specifically suggested incorporating teleconsultations and telemedicine as an initial part of the medical value tourism journey.
The fourth point focuses on global promotion through exhibitions and presentations worldwide, establishing facilitators and tie-ups with international hospitals, while ensuring only NABH-enabled, verified and panelled hospitals are permitted to treat foreign patients. The Minister stressed that the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers must maintain the highest standards with zero compromise.
The fifth element urges States to focus on quality expansion across hospitals and wellness centers, making quality facilities globally visible and marketing them for patient welfare. Goyal specifically called for medical value tourism to expand beyond metropolitan cities to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, creating jobs, opportunities and infrastructure while upgrading healthcare for Indian patients.
Market Opportunity and Current Performance
Goyal highlighted India's significant competitive advantages, including clinical excellence, advanced technologies, and healthcare costs that are 60-80% lower than other parts of the world, particularly developed countries. While India has served 3.5 million medical value tourists over the past seven years, the Minister set an ambitious target of 10 million patients annually, stating India has the capability, doctors, and ecosystem to achieve this scale.
Quality and Ethical Framework
The Minister emphasized that quality healthcare cannot be different for Indians and foreigners, insisting that every Indian patient must receive the same high-quality healthcare as international visitors. He stressed zero tolerance for corruption in healthcare certification and urged stakeholders to report any unethical practices by NABH or certifying bodies to the Ministry. Goyal described the Quality Council of India as one of the most important organizations for India's development by 2047.
Additional Initiatives
The Minister suggested creating a pool of interpreters for international patients speaking different languages to improve communication and patient confidence. He also highlighted India's broader healthcare initiatives including Ayushman Bharat, which provides healthcare coverage for poor families, and an additional ₹5 lakh healthcare cover for all persons above 70 years irrespective of income.
Global Context and Historical Reference
Goyal referenced India's COVID-19 response, noting that India provided vaccines free of charge to over 100 countries that couldn't afford them and supplied vaccines at approximately $2-3 per dose compared to $25-30 from developed countries. He explained that export controls during COVID were implemented to prevent unscrupulous traders and rich nations from cornering medicines, ensuring equitable distribution to poorer populations and developing countries.