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In an encouraging development for India’s healthcare sector, hospitals reporting their financials have witnessed a promising increase in revenues generated from Medical Value Tourism (MVT) for the fiscal year 2025–2026 (FY26). This rise comes despite a notable decrease in the number of international patients due to geopolitical tensions in the West Asia region and political issues in Bangladesh. India’s status as a leading destination for medical tourism remains intact, bolstered by the rising complexity and sophistication of medical cases being treated across various facilities. Top players like Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Medanta, and Apollo Hospitals have all demonstrated impressive MVT performance.
Fortis Healthcare faced a temporary decline in foreign patient visits at the beginning of the West Asia conflict, which led to flight cancellations and travel disruptions. As a result, the hospital, which primarily served patients already in India, reported a short-term dip of around 7% in March 2026. Nevertheless, Fortis saw an impressive 18.5% year-on-year increase in MVT revenues, with figures jumping from Rs 539 crore in FY25 to Rs 639 crore in FY26. This growth has been largely attributed to an influx of patients requiring specialized medical services, including cardiac surgeries, oncology treatments, organ transplants, and orthopedic procedures, evidencing the increasing value provided by India’s medical tourism segment.
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As patients increasingly seek complex tertiary and quaternary care, this shift not only leads to higher revenue per individual but also contributes to the substantial growth of medical tourism in India. Max Healthcare notably experienced tremendous growth in FY26, particularly in oncology, robotic surgeries, and organ transplant procedures. This growth has been supported by improved infrastructure and effective utilization of hospital resources. Medanta and Apollo Hospitals similarly reported a surge in international patient inflows, consolidating India’s status as a premier destination for sophisticated medical treatments.
In response to decreased patient numbers from West Asia and Bangladesh, hospitals have strategically expanded into new international realms such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Fortis has noted increased patient flows from regions including Iraq, Uzbekistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Meanwhile, Apollo Hospitals has experienced growth from patients in West Asia and Southeast Asia, compensating for the decline from Bangladesh. By implementing digital engagement strategies, enhancing brand visibility, and forming regional partnerships, these hospitals have effectively attracted patients from emerging markets, fostering growth within the medical tourism sector in the face of geopolitical complexities.
Historically, 75% of medical tourists to India came from Bangladesh, making it a significant source market. However, geopolitical tensions in 2025 prompted a sharp decline in patient arrivals. This development has led Indian hospitals to diversify their patient demographics. This strategic response has not only sustained but also enhanced India’s trajectory in medical tourism, with hospitals exploring alternative regions, consequently maintaining revenue streams and supporting long-term growth.
As the healthcare sector prepares for FY27, leaders remain optimistic about the continued increase in revenues from international patients, despite prevailing instability in West Asia. Key players such as Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, and Aster DM Healthcare have indicated that enhanced market penetration, regional collaborations, and refined patient acquisition strategies will be critical in propelling growth in the MVT arena. Aster DM Healthcare, in particular, recorded a striking 41% year-on-year rise in MVT revenues, with Kerala showing an astounding 51% growth driven by incoming patients from the Maldives and other South Asian nations, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of India’s medical tourism framework.
The impressive performance of the MVT sector in FY26 highlights its importance as a pivotal engine for progress within India’s healthcare landscape. Hospitals are investing heavily in cutting-edge infrastructure, advanced digital outreach, and specialized care initiatives to bolster their global competitiveness. Additionally, government efforts aimed at developing medical tourism hubs are propelling this growth, positioning India as a top destination for international patients who seek both cost-effective and high-quality healthcare.
To ensure sustained growth within the medical tourism sector, Indian hospitals are increasingly harnessing technology, clinical excellence, and international collaborations. Strategic investments in infrastructure and care quality—coupled with focused outreach initiatives in emerging patient markets—are essential to navigating regional challenges and securing long-term expansion. With an emphasis on catering to high-complexity medical procedures, India is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the global medical tourism market, thereby contributing significantly to its healthcare diplomacy and economic development.
The resilience and strategic growth of India’s MVT sector are evident as hospitals continue to diversify their markets and invest in specialized services and infrastructure. Despite facing short-term challenges from regions like West Asia and Bangladesh, the focus on complex and specialized healthcare, alongside robust governmental and market support, cements India’s status as a global leader in this field. The promising results from FY26 illustrate the sector’s potential to facilitate substantial economic advancements and healthcare improvements, thus playing a vital role in boosting foreign tourist numbers for FY27.
Source: The post India See Rising New Revenues from Medical Value Tourism in FY26, Highlighting Resilience and Growth Despite International Patient Volume Challenges first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
