Highlighting India’s growing role in global healthcare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the importance of Medical Value Travel and health workforce mobility for a healthier planet. Speaking at the One Earth One Health – Advantage Healthcare India 2023 event, he underlined India’s holistic approach to health that dates back thousands of years.
The Prime Minister noted that Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda have evolved into global movements, offering solutions to stress, lifestyle disorders and preventive healthcare challenges. He also highlighted the role of traditional Indian diets, including millets, in improving nutrition and food security worldwide.
Ayush Quality Mark Strengthens Global Trust
To reinforce quality assurance and international confidence, Prime Minister Modi launched the Ayush Quality Mark in December 2025 during the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine at Bharat Mandapam. The quality mark provides an internationally aligned framework to ensure standardisation and credibility of Ayush products and services.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance trust among international patients seeking authentic and evidence-based traditional healthcare from India.
Integrated Healthcare Approach
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, has emphasised that Medical Value Travel is not driven by affordability alone. According to him, trust, quality and outcomes are central to India’s appeal, with Ayush systems offering complementary solutions alongside conventional medicine.
Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy are increasingly being chosen by international patients for chronic disease management, rehabilitation and wellness programmes.
Rising International Patient Footfall
Official data reflects India’s growing momentum in Medical Value Travel. The number of international patients visiting India rose sharply from 1,82,945 in 2020 to 6,44,387 in 2024. Wellness-based therapies, Yoga and Ayurveda have emerged as key contributors to this growth.
This surge highlights India’s transition from being viewed primarily as a low-cost treatment destination to a trusted provider of holistic, quality-assured healthcare.
Policy Support and Ayush Visa
A strong public–private partnership model underpins India’s Medical Value Travel roadmap. Policy measures such as 100 per cent foreign direct investment in medical infrastructure, fiscal incentives for medical service exports and targeted global outreach have strengthened the ecosystem.
To further facilitate access, the Government of India introduced a dedicated Ayush Visa in July 2023 for foreign nationals and their attendants seeking treatment under Ayush systems, simplifying travel and treatment processes.
Standards, Insurance and Skill Development
India is aligning its Medical Value Travel framework with global benchmarks. The Bureau of Indian Standards has adopted ISO 22525, an international standard for Medical Value Travel, ensuring credibility and standardised service delivery.
Insurance coverage has also expanded, with around 27 insurance companies now offering coverage for Ayush treatments. Meanwhile, skill development initiatives under the Health Sector Skill Council have certified over 37,000 professionals in Ayush roles since 2021, strengthening service quality.
Global Outreach and Future Outlook
Medical Value Travel has remained a central theme at major Ayush platforms, including global summits held in Mumbai and Chennai. Outreach initiatives through international events, cultural programmes and tourism collaborations have further amplified awareness.
With policy support, visa facilitation, quality assurance and rising global trust converging, India’s Medical Value Travel journey is evolving from a cost advantage to a comprehensive model of integrated, evidence-based and holistic healthcare.