The Government of Delhi has announced a comprehensive strategy with the aim of positioning itself as a premier global destination for medical value travel, promising regulatory reforms and infrastructure development to strengthen the city’s healthcare ecosystem.
Speaking at FICCI’s 5th Medical Value Travel Awards, Ashish Sood, Minister for Home, Power, Urban Development, Education & Training, Government of NCT, Delhi, outlined plans to create a “credible medical destination” supported by a single-window system to streamline services for international patients.
“We want to establish Delhi as a reliable and credible medical destination,” said Sood. “The capital serves as the first point of entry for many international visitors who often travel onwards to other states for treatment. We aim to develop Delhi’s own medical tourism capabilities.”
Sood invited industry stakeholders to collaborate with the government in developing policies for establishing hospitals, wellness centres and Ayush facilities, alongside accommodation solutions for visiting patients. He emphasised that medical value travel has evolved beyond healthcare provision to become “a strategic term that gives new direction to India’s economy, diplomacy and global influence”.
On occasion, Sudhanshu Pandey, Election Commissioner for UTs and former Commerce Ministry official, highlighted healthcare’s inclusion among the 12 champion sectors identified by the government, where India can provide leadership globally. Pandey, who chaired the awards jury, noted that the medical tourism sector “provides jobs, employment, recognition, soft power and above all happiness to every household whether domestic or international”. He also identified diagnostics as “a huge potential area for India” where the country’s excellence could attract clients from neighbouring nations.
Leading hospitals, Ayush, Wellness Centres, and Healthcare Providers were honoured. The FICCI Medical Value Travel Awards recognised nominations across the medical value travel and wellness sector, with 16 winners and five special jury recognitions presented to organisations that have contributed significantly to establishing India as a premier medical value travel destination.
Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, emerged as a standout performer, securing wins in multiple categories, including Oncology-Surgical, Orthopaedic Surgery-Joint Replacement, while also sharing the Joint Winner position for Oncology-Medical with Healthcare Global Enterprise.
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, received Special Jury Mentions in Cardiac Care – Cardiac Surgery, Paediatric Cardiac Sciences – Cardiology and Cardiac Care – Cardiology (Interventional Cardiology), while also securing a Joint Winner position for Paediatric Cardiac Sciences – Cardiac Surgery along with Marengo Asia Healthcare.
In the transplant categories, VPS Lakeshore Hospital claimed the award for Kidney Transplants, Dr Rela Institute & Medical Centre won for Liver Transplants, and Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad secured the award for the Bone Marrow Transplants category. Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals demonstrated excellence in two categories, winning for both Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Oncology-Radiation.
The awards also recognised achievement in dental care, with Aashu Dental & Multispeciality Clinic winning for Dental Implant and Balaji Dental Centre receiving a Special Jury Mention for Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital was recognised for Spine Surgery.
In specialised care categories, Shinon Healthcare was named the Medical Facilitator of the Year, and Ayurvedic Hospital And Research Centre, Kottakkal, won Ayush Hospital of the Year. Atmantan Wellness Centre received the Wellness Centre of the Year award, with Oorja Wellness Centre earning a Special Jury Mention.
Shalby Sanar International Hospital, Rajagiri Hospital, Healthians Research Centre, Vaidam Health, Healthians Research Centre, Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital, Shathayu Ayurveda Yoga Retreat, and Krishna Shalby were amongst the other finalists.
Dr Upasana Arora, Chair FICCI Medical Value Travel Committee and Managing Director, Yashoda Super Specialty Hospitals, Dr Narottam Puri, Advisor FICCI MVT Committee & Principal Advisor, QCI; Board Member & Former Chairman, NABH; Advisor – Medical Operations, Fortis Healthcare, and Pradeep Multani, Chair, FICCI Ayush Committee and Emeritus Chairman, Multani Pharmaceuticals, also graced the occasion.
