## Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4136 on Heal in India Initiative
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4136, answered on August 18, 2025, regarding the "Heal in India" initiative for medical tourism. The question was raised by Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar, Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey, and Shri Karan Bhushan Singh.
The Ministry of Tourism clarifies that the development and promotion of tourist destinations, including medical tourism, is primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry complements these efforts through various schemes and initiatives. To facilitate medical tourism, the Government of India provides e-medical visas and e-medical attendant visas. The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organizes "Sanjeevani," an international healthcare and wellness event to showcase India's capabilities in this sector.
**Key data regarding Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) for medical purposes:**
* **2019:** 697,453 (6.38% of total FTAs)
* **2020:** 182,945 (6.67% of total FTAs)
* **2021:** 323,748 (21.20% of total FTAs)
* **2022:** 474,798 (7.38% of total FTAs)
* **2023:** 659,356 (6.93% of total FTAs)
* **2024:** 644,387 (6.48% of total FTAs)
* **2025 (Jan-Apr Provisional):** 131,856 (4.07% of total FTAs)
**Top Source Countries for Medical Tourism:**
The top source countries for medical tourists are:
* **Bangladesh:** Consistently the leading source, with 482,336 arrivals in 2024.
* **Iraq:** Second largest, with 32,008 arrivals in 2024.
* **Somalia:** Showing growth, with 11,717 arrivals in 2024.
* **Oman:** 10,431 arrivals in 2024.
* **Uzbekistan:** 8,921 arrivals in 2024.
The response does not explicitly detail specific steps taken to improve India's rank in global wellness tourism markets or the role of the "Heal in India" initiative in capacity building and easing visa norms beyond the provision of e-visas. The response also does not disclose any collaborations with private entities under the "Heal in India" initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Heal in India: A Government of India initiative aimed at promoting medical tourism in India.
Medical Tourism: Tourism related to medical treatments and wellness procedures.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism in India.
e-medical visa/e-medical Attendant visa: Visa facility extended by the Government of India to facilitate the visit of foreign nationals for medical treatment and their attendants.
Services Export Promotion Council SEPC: An organization under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry that organizes events like Sanjeevani to promote India as a wellness destination.
Sanjeevani: An international healthcare and wellness event organized by the Services Export Promotion Council to showcase India's capabilities in healing and wellness.
Bangladesh: A top source country for medical tourists visiting India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4136
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
HEAL IN INDIA INITIATIVE FOR MEDICAL TOURISM
4136. SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:
SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:
SHRI KARAN BHUSHAN SINGH:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total number of medical tourists landed in India in
2025;
(b) the details of the top source countries accounting for medical
tourists during the last five years and the current year;
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve India’s
rank in global wellness tourism markets;
(d) the role of “Heal in India” initiative in capacity building and easing
visa norms; and
(e) whether the Government has collaborated with any private entity
so far under the said initiative and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products, including medical tourism is primarily undertaken by the
respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The
Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and
promoting various tourism products of the country, including medical
tourism through various schemes and initiatives.
To facilitate the visit of foreign nationals to come to India for
medical treatment, the Government of India has extended e-medical
visa/e-medical Attendant visa facility.Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) under the Ministry of
Commerce & Industry organizes Sanjeevani, an international healthcare
and wellness event which showcases the capabilities of India as a
destination for Healing & Wellness.
The total year-wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals for medical purpose
during last 5 years and the details of the top source countries are given
at Annexure.
*******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.4136 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING HEAL IN
INDIA INITIATIVE FOR MEDICAL TOURISM RAISED BY SHRI YADUVEER
WADIYAR, SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY AND SHRI KARAN
BHUSHAN SINGH
Year-wise foreign tourist arrivals for medical purposes.
FTAs for Medical % Share of
Year FTAs in India
Purposes Medical Tourists
2019 1,09,30,355 6,97,453 6.38
2020 27,44,766 1,82,945 6.67
2021 15,27,114 3,23,748 21.20
2022 64,37,467 4,74,798 7.38
2023 95,20,928 6,59,356 6.93
2024 99,51,722 6,44,387 6.48
2025 (Jan to April) (P) 32,40,683 1,31,856 4.07
(P): Provisional
Source: Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
Top Source Countries for Medical Tourism
Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) for the Medical
S.
Country purpose
No.
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
1 Bangladesh 99,155 1,86,633 3,26,805 4,99,951 4,82,336
2 Iraq 16,647 15,357 30,701 28,758 32,008
3 Somalia 1,712 3,847 1,006 15,947 11,717
4 Oman 4,328 7,610 11,121 13,397 10,431
5 Uzbekistan 1,712 3,847 6,768 7,081 8,921
Total FTAs for
1,82,945 3,23,748 4,74,798 6,59,356 6,44,387
Medical purpose
Source: Bureau of Immigration
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