Medical tourism could be India's next major export opportunity

We have what it takes to deliver high-end care and make economic gains if we use a focused strategy

- PRATHAP C. REDDY

With manufacturing exports threatened by tariffs and AI automation reshaping IT services, India needs a new growth engine.

One opportunity lies in medical value tourism (MVT)-foreign patients travelling to India for world-class care that combines advanced medicine, competitive pricing and trusted outcomes. MVT can become a major earner of foreign exchange, a job creator and a powerful vehicle of soft power.

The global medical tourism industry is already worth $40 billion annually and is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030. With global healthcare services exceeding $6 trillion, the headroom for growth is enormous especially as populations in developed countries age and strain their healthcare systems.

India's share today-around 6-8%, well behind Thailand's 25% and Turkey's 10-15%-could realistically rise to 25-30%, given our vast pool of skilled doctors and nurses, strong tertiary care infrastructure and deep experience with complex conditions. International patients also drive a local services economy of translators, medical facilitators, hotels, transport, pharmacies and rehabilitation. Few sectors combine foreign exchange earnings, employment and national brand projection like MVT.