India is continuously making progress in the health sector. It is being claimed that India can become the world’s largest health center in 2047. This is the reason why in the Union Budget 2024-25, a target was set to make many important changes in the health sector of the country by 2047. In such a situation, it is even being said that India will progress so much in this sector that people from rich countries like Britain and America will also come to India for their treatment. How will these things come true? What is India’s roadmap and what has been achieved so far? Let us know.

India is already a big center of medical tourism

The number of foreign patients seeking treatment in the country is increasing rapidly. In 2024, the medical tourism market was worth about 7.69 billion dollars i.e. about 64 thousand crore rupees. During this period, about 73 lakh foreign patients came to India for treatment. These patients mainly come for heart surgery, cancer treatment, orthopedic and cosmetic surgery. Actually, these treatments are very expensive in America and Britain, whereas in India they are 60 to 80 percent cheaper. For example, heart bypass surgery in America costs lakhs of rupees, but in India it costs only lakhs.

Foreign patients are continuously increasing

According to the report of Mordor Intelligence, India earned $9 billion from medical tourism in 2022, while more than 5 lakh medical tourists came in 2023. Among these, people from Africa, Middle East, Bangladesh and Nepal were the maximum, but now patients from UK and US are also increasing. Chennai is called the health capital of India, because 45 percent of foreign patients come here. Hospitals like Apollo, Fortis and Medanta are NABH accredited, which provide international level health facilities. The EY-FICCI report says that from 2012 to 2023, the number of medical tourists increased by 10.32 percent annually.

How will India become a global health tourism hub in 2047?

The government aims to make India a global health tourism hub by 2047. It has been said in the reports of Medical Buyer and Travel and Tour World that for this there will be huge investment in infrastructure, digital health and research. NITI Aayog member VK Paul says that health sector will become the basis of developed India in 2047. Life expectancy will increase from 71 years to 85 years. The number of doctors will be 50 lakh and that of nurses will be 1.25-1.5 crore. There will be medical colleges and 100% health insurance coverage in every district.

What are the targets for 2047?

Many targets have been set for 2047 in the EY-FICCI report ‘Decoding India’s Health Landscape’. These include 30 lakh extra hospital beds, development in digital health and achieving leadership in medical tourism. Future Market Insights report says that medical tourism will be worth $18.2 billion in 2025. At the same time, it is expected to reach $58.2 billion by 2035. This means that it will increase by 12.3% annually.

How will there be so much progress in the health sector?

• Ayushman Bharat Scheme: This is the world’s largest health insurance scheme, through which 12 crore families of the country i.e. about 55 crore people get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. Now all elderly people above 70 years of age have been covered. This made treatment of the poor easier and increased investment in hospitals.
• Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): A budget of Rs 64 thousand crore has been allocated for this. Under this, there is a plan to build hospitals, labs and ICUs from village to district level. This increased ICU beds and ventilators during the Covid pandemic.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): 67 crore ABHA IDs have been created across the country. This is the digital health record of every person. With this, doctor’s advice is available in villages far away from telemedicine. Lakhs of consultations have been done through e-Sanjeevani.
• Heal in India and AYUSH Visa: Medical visa has been made easier for foreigners. AYUSH (Ayurveda and Yoga) is being promoted. Wellness tourism will increase with Yoga and Ayurveda.
• Infrastructure and Workforce: More than 2 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been built. Medical colleges are continuously increasing. The IBEF report says that the hospital market was worth $99 billion in 2023. It is expected that it will reach $194 billion by 2032.
• Pharma and MedTech: India makes 60 percent of the world’s vaccines. Pharma exports have reached 27.9 billion dollars. At the same time, investment in R&D is continuously increasing.

Why will UK-US patients come to India?

The NHS in the UK has long waiting times. Treatment is very expensive in America. At the same time, British patients are getting 70% cheaper treatment in India. India is ahead in cancer, joint replacement and fertility treatment. In 2024, 73 lakh medical tourists from western countries came to India, which is continuously increasing.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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