Hyderabad is preparing to formalise its ambitions in global healthcare travel through a proposed state-level institutional mechanism and an integrated Medical Tourism Hub, a move that could reshape the city’s healthcare, hospitality and infrastructure landscape.
At a recent policy consultation convened by the state’s tourism authorities, government representatives, hospital operators and industry advisers discussed the formation of a dedicated society to anchor medical value travel in Telangana. The proposed body is expected to coordinate policy, accreditation, international outreach and grievance systems, while aligning hospitals, facilitators and hospitality providers under a unified framework.For Hyderabad, already among India’s leading destinations for cross-border patients, the initiative signals a shift from fragmented growth to structured governance. Industry estimates suggest India’s medical value travel market could cross USD 20 billion within the next year and approach USD 30 billion by the end of the decade, supported by streamlined visa systems and rising global demand for cost-effective specialised treatment. A consolidated Medical Tourism Hub in Hyderabad could capture a larger share of that growth.
Officials familiar with the discussions indicate that the proposed hub may be positioned as part of a national network of regional medical value tourism clusters outlined in the Union Budget. The Hyderabad model is expected to combine tertiary hospitals, wellness centres, traditional medicine institutes, research facilities and hospitality infrastructure within a coordinated ecosystem. Early concept notes reference a potential greenfield medical district developed under a public–private partnership structure.Such clustering has implications beyond healthcare. Urban planners note that large-scale health districts require reliable public transport links, resilient power supply, water efficiency systems and climate-responsive building design. If executed with sustainability benchmarks, a Medical Tourism Hub could catalyse low-carbon construction practices and integrated mobility planning around key growth corridors near the international airport and outer ring road.
Hyderabad currently hosts more than 50 nationally and internationally accredited hospitals, with an estimated 12,000 beds catering to international patients. Strong air connectivity through Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has made the city accessible to patients from West Asia, Africa and parts of South Asia. However, stakeholders have acknowledged the need for standardised facilitator licensing, transparent pricing frameworks and structured patient support services to ensure credibility.Urban economists argue that a well-regulated medical travel ecosystem can generate high-skilled employment across healthcare, hospitality and allied services, while also creating opportunities for local supply chains. At the same time, they caution that public health capacity and equitable access must not be overshadowed by export-oriented healthcare growth.
The coming months are expected to see a detailed policy blueprint outlining governance architecture, land use strategy and investment models. If aligned with inclusive planning and environmental safeguards, Hyderabad’s Medical Tourism Hub could become not only a healthcare destination, but also a test case for integrated, resilient urban expansion.
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Hyderabad advances Medical Tourism Hub strategy
