The Government of Delhi has announced a comprehensive strategy to position the Indian capital as a premier global destination for medical value travel, promising regulatory reforms and infrastructure development to strengthen the city’s healthcare ecosystem.
Delhi to become a credible medical destination
Speaking at FICCI’s 5th Medical Value Travel Awards, Ashish Sood, Minister for Home, Power, Urban Development, Education & Training, Government of NCT of Delhi, outlined plans to create a “credible medical destination” supported by a single-window system to streamline services for international patients.
“We want to establish Delhi as a reliable and credible medical destination,” said Sood. “The capital serves as the first point of entry for many international visitors who often travel onwards to other states for treatment. We aim to develop Delhi’s own medical tourism capabilities.”
Sood invited industry stakeholders to collaborate with the government in developing policies for establishing hospitals, wellness centres and Ayush facilities, alongside accommodation solutions for visiting patients. He emphasised that medical value travel has evolved beyond healthcare provision to become a strategic term that gives new direction to India’s economy, diplomacy and global influence.
Medical tourism seen as economic and diplomatic soft power
On the occasion, Sudhanshu Pandey, Election Commissioner for UTs and former Commerce Ministry official, highlighted healthcare’s inclusion among the 12 champion sectors identified by the government where India can provide leadership globally.
Pandey, who chaired the awards jury, noted that the medical tourism sector provides jobs, employment, recognition, soft power and above all happiness to every household whether domestic or international. He also identified diagnostics as a huge potential area for India where the country’s excellence could attract clients from neighbouring nations.
Industry leaders commend Delhi’s forward-thinking approach
Dr Upasana Arora (Chair, FICCI Medical Value Travel Committee), Dr Narottam Puri (Advisor, FICCI MVT Committee & Principal Advisor, QCI; Fortis Healthcare), and Pradeep Multani (Chair, FICCI Ayush Committee) also attended the occasion and extended support to the government’s vision.
