In a major push to position India as a global destination for medical tourism, the Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed a new scheme to support states in establishing five Regional Medical Hubs in partnership with the private sector.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the proposed hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, combining medical services, education, and research infrastructure under one framework. According to the announcement, each hub will include AYUSH centres, Medical Value Tourism Facilitation Centres, and advanced facilities for diagnostics, post-treatment care, and rehabilitation.
The Finance Minister noted that the initiative is expected to generate significant employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, including doctors and allied health personnel, while also strengthening India’s healthcare ecosystem for international patients.
Tourism-Led Economic Growth
Highlighting the broader economic impact, Sitharaman underlined the role of the tourism sector in driving employment, foreign exchange earnings, and local economic development. The medical hubs form part of a wider tourism-focused strategy outlined in the Budget, which includes infrastructure development, skill upgradation, and digital documentation of heritage assets.
Linked Reforms and Initiatives
The Budget also proposes:
- Establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality by upgrading the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology
- A pilot programme to train 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic destinations through a 12-week hybrid course
- Creation of a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid to digitally document cultural, spiritual, and heritage sites
- Development of eco-sensitive tourism trails and expansion of heritage and Buddhist circuit tourism, particularly in the North-Eastern and Purvodaya regions
Together, these measures signal a coordinated approach linking healthcare infrastructure, tourism planning, urban development, and employment generation, with the proposed medical hubs emerging as a key anchor in India’s medical value tourism strategy.
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