The proposed Regional Medical Hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, bringing together medical services, education, and research under one umbrella.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a new initiative to position India as a global hub for medical tourism, proposing the establishment of five Regional Medical Hubs across the country. Presenting the Union Budget, Sitharaman said the Centre will launch a scheme to support states in setting up these hubs in partnership with the private sector.
The proposed Regional Medical Hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, bringing together medical services, education, and research under one umbrella. According to the finance minister, the hubs will include AYUSH centres, Medical Value Tourism Facilitation Centres, and supporting infrastructure for diagnostics, post-treatment care, and rehabilitation.
Sitharaman also highlighted that the hubs are expected to generate a wide range of employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, including doctors and allied health professionals (AHPs).The move aligns with the government’s broader push to expand healthcare infrastructure, promote medical value travel, and create high-skilled jobs in the health sector. “The announcement of five regional Medical Value Tourism hubs will further position India as a global healthcare destination and act as a key enabler for growth, while integration of Ayush centres into these hubs will showcase India’s holistic care capabilities,” said Ameera Shah, President of Nathealth.Dr Ajay Swaroop, Chairman, Board of Management, Sir Gangaram Hospital emphasized that India is well-positioned for medical tourism, with highly trained professionals and advanced technology that can match global standards. However, he noted that the industry currently lacks an official framework, relying largely on private players to bring in patients. “If the government promotes medical tourism in an official way, I am sure it would bring both global recognition and financial benefits,” he said.Dr Swaroop added that real-world implementation would have to address challenges such as identifying patients, where they are coming from, and what services they need. There would be a need for fixing the rates and ensuring ethical practices. “A database tracking patients from different countries, the types of medical procedures they seek, and the regions they come from is necessary to plan services effectively. This information will help determine where specialized centres, such as those for liver or kidney transplants, should be established,” he explained
