Maha eyes $3.84 billion opportunity with medical value travel policy

Maha Eyes $3.84 Billion Opportunity with Medical Value Travel Policy

As India's medical tourism sector continues to soar, the state of Maharashtra is positioning itself as a leader in the field. With its world-class hospitals, multi-organ transplants, and affordable care, the state is drawing international patients from high-cost countries like Australia and the United States. But what's behind Maharashtra's growing popularity in medical tourism, and is the state on track to tap into a potential $3.84 billion opportunity?

The answer is not as straightforward as it seems. While multiple sources highlight Maharashtra's established role in India's medical tourism sector, there is no concrete evidence of a specific policy targeting a $3.84 billion opportunity. However, discussions and initiatives align with 2025 trends, including World Tourism Day 2025 references and a KPMG report from July 18, 2025. Medical visas issued rose to 4.64 lakh in 2024 from 3.75 lakh pre-COVID in 2019, indicating a growing demand for medical tourism.

Maharashtra's strategy is centered around leveraging its existing infrastructure, including hospitals in Mumbai and Pune, and wellness sites in the Western Ghats and Konkan coast. The state government is planning to launch a single web platform to cater to global patients, which will enable them to book services, access medical records, and communicate with healthcare providers. Private hospitals and surgeons, such as Dr. Bipin Vibhute for transplants, are also playing a crucial role in promoting Maharashtra as a medical tourism hub.

National efforts, such as the 'Heal in India' initiative, are also contributing to Maharashtra's growth in medical tourism. The initiative, launched by the Ministries of Health, AYUSH, and External Affairs, aims to position India as a global leader in medical tourism. The KPMG report notes that Maharashtra, along with Kerala and Delhi, has high inbound traffic, and suggests prioritizing these states for scalable implementation.

While there are concerns about affordability, continuity of care, and medico-legal safeguards, sources present optimistic views on Maharashtra's medical tourism potential. A study recommends better branding and aftercare to attract patients from countries like China, Russia, and the UK, who are drawn to Maharashtra's cost advantages, tech integration, and wellness-tourism blend.

Rajasthan, which recently approved its Medical Value Travel Policy-2025 draft, is another state that has taken steps to promote medical tourism. The policy aims to create a certification framework for hospitals, establish a Medical Value Travel cell, and develop a portal and app for patients. This contrasts with Maharashtra's less formalized but infrastructure-heavy approach.

India's medical tourism has rebounded post-COVID, driven by policy reforms such as medical/AYUSH visas, Digital Health IDs, and Ayushman Bharat. With over 1,700 NABH-accredited hospitals and 63 JCI-accredited ones, the sector is poised for growth. Maharashtra has long been a hub for medical tourism, attracting international patients for transplants and drawing from global demand for cost-quality balance.

For patients, Maharashtra's medical tourism sector offers affordable, high-quality care with shorter waits. Enhanced platforms and telemedicine improve access, especially for non-English speakers via multilingual support. For the economy and people in Maharashtra, potential job creation in healthcare and tourism is a welcome prospect.

While the $3.84 billion opportunity may not be a specific policy, Maharashtra's efforts to promote medical tourism are paying off. With its world-class infrastructure, affordable care, and wellness integration, the state is well-positioned to tap into the growing demand for medical tourism. As India's medical tourism sector continues to soar, Maharashtra is set to emerge as a leader in the field.