Parliament Question: Medical tourism

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3174 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 MEDICAL TOURISM 3174 SHRI K.R. SURESH REDDY: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the number of medical tourists visiting India during the last three years, country-wise; (b) the details of patients alongwith the category of procedures/ consultations received by them; (c) the details of regulatory frameworks implemented to ensure that informed consent, medical malpractice and data protection concerns are protected when the patients hail from different legal environments; and (d) the steps taken by Government to ensure that a boost in medical tourism does not stress locally available medical facilities and prioritize foreigners over vulnerable Indians in need of care? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a): The number of medical tourists visiting India during the last three years from the major 5 source countries is given below: S. No. Country / Category 2022 2023 2024 1 Bangladesh 3,26,805 4,99,951 4,82,336 2 Iraq 30,701 28,758 32,008 3 Somalia 1,006 15,947 11,717 4 Oman 11,121 13,397 10,431 5 Uzbekistan 6,768 7,081 8,921 Others 98,397 94,222 98,974 Total FTAs for Medical Purpose 4,74,798 6,59,356 6,44,387 (b): The Ministry of Tourism does not maintain disaggregated data regarding individual patient details or the specific categories of procedures and consultations received by them. Furthermore, the Ministry has not conducted any formal assessment regarding specific treatments popular in India during the last five years. (c): The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism which has been circulated to concerned Central Ministries, State Governments, and industry stakeholders to provide an institutional framework. To ensure quality and standardized care, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) provides accreditation for hospitals, wellness centers, and healthcare facilities. (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations, including medical tourism, is primarily a State subject. To ensure that medical tourism growth supplements rather than stresses the existing healthcare ecosystem, the Government of India has made special provisions for loans to build healthcare infrastructure specifically in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This initiative aims to expand the overall healthcare capacity of the country, thereby supporting both international patients and the domestic population. *******