Lok Sabha Question No. 1766 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Development of Medical Tourism Hubs
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1766 ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM HUBS

## 1766. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  India  has  emerged  as  a  hub  for medical tourism;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State/UT-wise  on  the  number  of medical tourists that arrived in India during the last five years;
- (c) the total revenue earned, State/UT-wise due to foreign tourists arriving in India for their medical treatment during the last five years;
- whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  study  on  the category  of  operations/medical  interventions  that  foreigners come to India for and if so, the details thereof along with the
- (d) respective countries they come from; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  develop medical tourism hubs in smaller/tier-2 cities in the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a) to (e): In order to boost Medical Tourism in the country, Ministry of  Tourism  has  formulated  a  National  Strategy  and  Roadmap  for Medical  and  Wellness  Tourism.  The  Strategy  has  identified  the following key pillars:
- (i)
- Develop a brand for India as a wellness destination
- (ii) Strengthen  the  ecosystem  for  medical  and  wellness
- tourism
- (iii) Enable digitalization by setting up Online Medical Value Travel (MVT) Portal
- (iv) Enhancement of accessibility for Medical Value Travel
- (v) Promoting Wellness Tourism
- (vi) Governance and Institutional Framework

Further,  as  conveyed  by  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  it  is coordinating  with  other  Ministries  and  stakeholders  to  promote medical value travel in the country. Several rounds of stakeholder consultations have been conducted with line Ministries, Hospitals, MVT facilitators, Insurance Companies and NABH etc. to identify the challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare  has  also  conveyed  that  in certain  countri es  wherein  a  concerted  effort  to  promote  India's competing  strength  in  modern  as  well  as  traditional  medicine  is taken  up.  Similarly,  action  is  taken  up  to  strengthen  and  promote identified  hospitals  (Modern  Medicine  and  AYUSH),  airports,  visa regime etc. for promotion of MVT.

State/UT  wise  no.  of  medical  tourists  arrival  is  not  maintained  by Ministry of  Tourism.  However,  the  details  of  Foreign  Tourists Arrivals on Medical purpose during year 2017-2021 is as follows:

FTAs on Medical Purpose during 2017 to 2021

|   Year |   Medical Purpose (in lakh) |
|--------|-----------------------------|
|   2017 |                        4.95 |
|   2018 |                        6.44 |
|   2019 |                        6.97 |
|   2020 |                        1.83 |
|   2021 |                        3.04 |

Source: Bureau of Immigration (BOI)

State/UT  wise  revenue  earned due  to  foreign  tourists  arriving  in India  for  their  medical  treatment  is  not  maintained  by  Ministry  of Tourism.

No formal study has been conducted by Ministry of Tourism on the category  of  operations/medical  interventions  that  foreigners  come to India for.

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