• Source:JND

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, proposed five regional medical hubs in each state with the help of the private sector. The Union minister said that these hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, with the amalgamation of medical, educational and research facilities under one umbrella ecosystem.

All five regional medical hubs will include dedicated AYUSH centres and medical value-travel facilitation services. These centres will also have dedicated infrastructure for diagnostics, post-treatment care and rehabilitation. These new complexes are expected to expand employment opportunities for healthcare workers, including doctors and allied health professionals.

ALSO READ: Is Sharad Pawar Back In Active Politics? NCP-SP Chief's 'Visual Narrative' From Baramati Decoded

What Is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism refers to the practice of travelling to international destinations to access healthcare treatments and procedures or specialists that may be unavailable, expensive or not up to the mark in one’s own country. 

India has emerged as a major hub for medical tourism in recent years. According to data of Medical Tourism Association (MTA), India receives nearly two million international patients annually from 78 different countries for medical, wellness, and IVF treatments. Out of the total number of people, a major chunk of the patients come from Australia, Canada, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Here is the year-on-year growth percentage in the number of foreign tourists who have visited India for Medical tourism between 2018 and 2023. 

Year 

Medical Tourist Arrivals (FTAs)

Per cent Growth (YoY)

2018

640,798

  

2019

697,453

+8.8%

2020

182,945

-73.8% (Pandemic impact)

2021

303,526

+65.9%

2022

475,372

+56.6%

2023

635,419

+33.7%

Source: Ministry of Tourism

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi Cites Former Army Chief On China Threat In Parliament, Rajnath Singh Objects To 'Unpublished' Book

AYUSH Visa For Foreign Nationals

Earlier, in August 2023, the Indian government introduced the AYUSH Visa category for foreign nationals to facilitate inbound wellness and healthcare travel. The visa gives foreign nationals access to traditional Indian systems like Ayurveda, Naturopathy, etc. The AYUSH Visa is further categorised into the following categories:


  • AY-1 (Ayush Visa): For the patient seeking therapeutic care or wellness.

  • AY-2 (Ayush Attendant Visa): For up to two attendants or family members accompanying the patient.

  • e-Ayush Visa: An electronic version available for citizens of approximately 171 eligible countries to streamline the application process online


Also In News