Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2026, announced a series of measures aimed at positioning India as a leading global hub for Medical Value Tourism (MVT) and addressing gaps in the allied healthcare workforce.
A key highlight was the launch of the “Heal in India” initiative, under which five regional medical tourism hubs will be developed in partnership with the private sector. These hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, offering state-of-the-art hospital infrastructure, advanced diagnostic facilities, and post-treatment rehabilitation services, the Finance Minister told Parliament on February 1.
The Budget also placed strong emphasis on traditional systems of medicine to attract international patients. This includes the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, along with the upgradation of existing AYUSH pharmacies and drug testing laboratories.
