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India's healthcare system has, today, developed at a record speed to match the worldwide need for affordable high-quality medical services, according to Pankaj Chandna, co-founder of Vaidam Health, who further explains that medical tourism has shifted its focus from attracting international patients to developing healthcare systems which match increasing patient needs.
The Indian medical tourism market, which reached a value of Rs. 87,050 crore in 2024, will grow to Rs. 4,25,630 crore by 2034, which demonstrates the need for strategic development and environment friendly infrastructure expansion.
Vaidam Health is a global medical travel assistance platform that connects international patients with accredited hospitals, experienced specialists, and end-to-end treatment support from the first medical opinion to recovery and follow-up care. The platform collaborates with a network of hospitals which includes 25 JCI-accredited facilities and more than 500 NABH-accredited hospitals.
According to Pankaj, India’s healthcare sector is at a crucial intersection where infrastructure growth, clinical excellence, and rising patient inflow must remain balanced. Over the past decade, the country has built a strong reputation for complex surgeries, specialised treatments, and cost-effective care. Its growing appeal is driven by advanced medical infrastructure, skilled professionals, competitive pricing, and an integrated healthcare ecosystem that blends modern medicine with traditional wellness practices such as Ayurveda and Yoga. As awareness increases across Africa, the Middle East, CIS countries, and Southeast Asia, hospitals are facing greater pressure to strengthen capacity, patient management, and coordinated care delivery.
“Today, medical tourism is no longer just about the tourism of receiving medical care. It is about efficient systems that can serve the variety of needs that come in without overwhelming the resources of our domestic health care. It is getting the hospital resources and the experiences right for the international as well as domestic consumer. Platforms like Vaidam are indeed bridging this gap because they get the patients into the right hospital depending upon the urgency of the treatment,” Pankaj explains.
He further explains that healthcare capacity is not just an issue of adding beds and building bigger facilities; it is an issue of optimising the existing resources and capacity by better coordinating the services, accurate triage and efficient communication processes. International patients often come with low levels of understanding of the health system.
“Structured guidance helps ensure that the planning and running of treatment schedules are done efficiently by the hospital and that patients receive efficient services. Digital technology is also playing a crucial role in matching demand and capacity. For instance, virtual consultations and case reviews using AI and coordinating patient travel have enabled hospitals to review cases before the patients even arrive in the country. This way, there is no need for the patients to come all the way or stay for an extended period in the hospitals. Consequently, hospitals and patients respectively enjoy the benefits of a smoother and predictable treatment process,” says Pankaj.
The increasing need for various specialized procedures like oncology services, organ transplants, orthopaedic care, cardio surgery, and fertility treatments has underscored the need for effective facilitation networks in the health care sector. By managing documentation, treatment coordination, linguistic support, as well as logistical needs, hospitals can keep administrative pressures at bay.
However, Pankaj highlights that for sustainable success in India as a medical tourism hub globally, planning is essential; investment in tier 2 cities’ hospitals, training of medical staff and telemedicine facilities would be crucial factors of success for future growth strategies.
“As the medical tourism sector continues to grow, the focus should be on building a balanced ecosystem where international demand strengthens the healthcare system without straining it. The real numbers game is not just about patient volumes, it is about delivering quality outcomes, efficient experiences, and equitable access for everyone,” he says.
Pankaj concludes, “India has the expertise, technology, and trust to remain a global leader in healthcare. The next step is ensuring that capacity expansion is thoughtful and data-driven. When healthcare systems are prepared to manage both domestic and international demand effectively, patients receive faster care, hospitals operate efficiently, and the entire ecosystem becomes stronger and more resilient.”
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