Bonnie, a professor from the University of Michigan, had battled breast cancer for years. After complications during biopsy and limited treatment options in the US, her tumor became a painful, fungating mass. Doctors back home insisted on chemotherapy before surgery, but her health deteriorated further.
Running out of hope, Bonnie travelled to India, where Dr. Mandeep Singh and his team at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, performed a major surgery to remove the 2 kg tumor and reconstruct her chest wall using advanced techniques.
The doctors also cleared the affected lymph nodes from under her arm. To rebuild her chest, surgeons used muscle and tissue (latissimus dorsi flap) taken from her back.
Since the area on her back where the tissue was taken couldn’t be closed directly, doctors used a special graft made from processed donor skin, called Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM), to cover the wound.
Today, she has recovered well and is cancer-free.
MEDICAL TOURISM IN INDIA: A GROWING LIFELINE
Medical tourism in India continues to grow as patients from across the world seek advanced treatment at a fraction of the cost they would pay in Western countries.
From complex cancer surgeries to joint replacements and rare orthopedic procedures, Indian hospitals are proving to be trusted destinations for people who had either lost hope or faced limited options at home.
Despite the setbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic, India’s medical tourism sector remained strong, reaching an estimated value of $7.69 billion in 2024.
Looking ahead, the market is expected to grow further and touch $14.31 billion by 2029, according to a Mordor Intelligence report.
India’s medical tourism industry is set for a growth rate of around 14–15% in the coming years, buoyed by the recent easing of visa regulations announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.
Known for affordable, high-quality healthcare, India is expected to attract even more international patients as the simplified visa process makes access easier.
The sector is also expanding beyond metro hubs, with smaller cities emerging as treatment centres.
According to industry estimates, the market was valued at $7.69 billion in 2024, drawing nearly 7.3 million foreign patients for various medical treatments.
On the global stage, India ranks 10th among 46 countries in the Medical Tourism Index 2020–21, offering procedures at 60–80% lower costs compared to developed nations such as the US.
A PAIN-FREE LIFE FOR TOBY FROM THE UK
More and more British patients are turning to India for medical treatment, where costs can be up to 70% lower than in the UK.
For many, it offers an affordable alternative, especially when faced with high expenses or long waits for care under the NHS (National Health Services – the UK’s top government health body).
For years, 56-year-old Toby James Burr from the UK suffered from severe knee pain that restricted his life. After researching hospitals worldwide, he chose Shalby Hospitals in Ahmedabad, where Dr. Vikram Shah performed his Total Knee Replacement using the innovative “Zero Technique.”
Within four days, Toby had undergone surgery, rehabilitation, and was walking pain-free. He praised the hospital’s advanced technology and personalised care, calling it a world-class experience.
A COMPLEX SHOULDER SURGERY FOR ROBERT FROM CONGO
According to Ministry of Tourism data (2023), medical travel made up a large share of visitors from different regions. Tourists from West Asia accounted for the highest proportion at 22.7%, followed by Africa at 21.2% and South Asia at 19.8%.
Another case is that of 52-year-old Robert from Congo. After five failed shoulder surgeries across four countries, he arrived in India nearly hopeless.
At Shalby Sanar International Hospital, Gurugram, Dr. Rajesh Verma and his team performed a rare reconstructive procedure called Meshplasty, stabilising his shoulder and addressing nerve damage.
Within days, Robert showed signs of recovery, with doctors optimistic about full function returning within weeks.
Advanced surgical techniques, highly skilled doctors, modern hospital infrastructure, and lower costs compared to the US, UK, or Africa make India a preferred choice. For many international patients, it’s not just about affordability but also about finding hope when other systems have failed them.
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