Delhi-NCR’s private healthcare sector is positioning itself for accelerated growth following the Union Budget’s proposal to promote India as a global destination for medical value travel. The announcement of a central scheme to develop regional medical hubs in partnership with state governments and private providers has been welcomed by hospitals in the capital region, where overseas patients already form a steady, revenue-generating segment of clinical activity. Â
The National Capital Region has, over the past two decades, emerged as one of India’s most prominent healthcare clusters. A dense network of tertiary and quaternary hospitals, proximity to an international aviation hub, and a deep pool of specialised clinicians have enabled the region to attract patients from outside India seeking advanced treatment at comparatively lower costs. Industry estimates suggest that foreign patients currently account for roughly 7–8% of revenues at large corporate hospitals in Delhi-NCR a share that is expected to rise if policy support reduces operational friction.
Healthcare administrators point out that international demand is concentrated around high-complexity procedures. These include advanced oncology care, solid organ and bone marrow transplants, cardiac interventions, complex neurological and spinal surgeries, and high-end orthopaedics. In addition, a growing subset of patients from developed economies travel to India for elective procedures such as dental work, cosmetic surgery, and non-insured treatments, where price differentials remain significant. The Budget’s emphasis on creating regional medical hubs is being interpreted as an attempt to formalise and scale this ecosystem. Sector experts say that a coordinated framework covering information dissemination, approvals, visas, and post-treatment continuity could improve patient confidence while reducing administrative delays. A single-window digital platform, if implemented effectively, would also allow hospitals to transparently present clinical outcomes, infrastructure capabilities, and pricing structures to international audiences.
From an urban development perspective, the policy has implications beyond healthcare. Medical tourism supports a wide range of allied services, including hospitality, transport, translation, diagnostics, and long-term rehabilitation. In a city-region like Delhi-NCR, this translates into employment creation across skill levels, increased utilisation of urban infrastructure, and stronger demand for purpose-built healthcare real estate. However, planners caution that growth must be managed responsibly. The expansion of medical tourism places additional pressure on water, energy, and waste management systems, particularly around large hospital campuses. Integrating low-carbon operations, efficient resource use, and patient-centric urban design will be essential if the sector is to align with broader sustainability goals.
Looking ahead, the success of the proposed medical hub model will depend on execution at the state and city level. Clear regulatory pathways, predictable incentives, and coordination between health, transport, and urban planning agencies will be critical. For Delhi-NCR, where medical tourism is already embedded in the healthcare economy, the Budget signal offers an opportunity to consolidate its position provided growth is balanced with resilience, accessibility, and long-term urban capacity.
Delhi NCR Healthcare Bets On Medical TourismÂ
