Lok Sabha Question No. 2899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Development of Medical Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2899 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM

## 2899.SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  develop  medical tourism in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the action taken by the Government for development of medical  tourists  of  the  country  and  the  action  taken  with Ministry  of  Railways  for  special  services  to  Indian  medical beneficiaries therefor;
- (c) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  offering  medical treatment packages to customers at competitive prices therein; and
- (d) the proposal of the Government to develop medical tourism for the  people  from  Kolkata,  Guwahati  and  other  Eastern  and North-Eastern parts of India who need to travel to the South India as medical tourists thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (d): While  promotion  and  development  of  Tourism,  including Medical Tourism, is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations, the Ministry of Tourism in order to boost    Medical  Tourism  in  the  country,  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)
- (vi)
- Promoting Wellness Tourism
- Governance and Institutional Framework

However,  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities,  Ministry  of  Tourism, releases  global  print,  electronic  and  online  media  campaigns  in important  and  potential  markets  over seas,  under  the  'Incredible India'  brand -line,  to  promote  various  tourism  destinations  and products  of  the  country.  Digital  promotions  are  also  regularly undertaken  through  the  Social  Media  accounts  of  the  Ministry  on different themes including the theme of Medical Tourism.

The  Government  of  India  liberalized  the  e-Tourist  Visa  Scheme pursuant  to  the  cabinet  approval  on  30.11.2016  and  the  e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme was renamed to e-visa Scheme and, at present, it has e-medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa as subcategories of e-visa.

In  the  case  of  e-Medical  Visa  and  for  e-Medical  Attendant  Visa, triple  entry  is  permitted  and  extension  may  be  granted  up  to  6 months  on  case  to  case  basis  on  merits  of  each  case  by  the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration  Officer  (FRO)  concerned.  Medical  Attendant  Visa  was co-terminus with the validity of the principal e-visa holder.

Further, Union Ministry of Health is coordinating with other Ministries  and  stakeholders  viz.  Hospitals,  Medical  Value  Travel (MVT)  facilitators,  Insurance  Companies,  NABH  etc.  to  promote medical value travel in the country.

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