Experts and diplomats highlight India’s healthcare model, while calling for greater transparency, easier visas and better follow-up care for African patients
Several African countries are examining India’s experience in medical tourism as they seek to expand access to specialised healthcare and address gaps in their domestic health systems.
The issue was discussed at the ‘Beyond Borders: Medical Tourism Conclave 2026’ in New Delhi, where diplomats and healthcare experts explored India’s growing role as a destination for international patients. Zimbabwe Ambassador Stella Nkomo said her country was keen to understand how India had developed its medical tourism sector.
Dr Gaurang Krishna, co-founder and director of MedLinks, said greater visibility through social media had helped position India as a destination for super-speciality treatment. He also pointed to improved air connectivity and dedicated translation services as factors supporting the growth of international patient flows.
-
-
According to the discussions, African countries are also seeking stronger government-to-government cooperation to address healthcare gaps
-
Krishna suggested that structured systems for post-treatment medical follow-up could help patients who return home after undergoing treatment in India
-
However, representatives from African countries highlighted several challenges faced by patients travelling to India. These include uncertainty over treatment costs, visa-related difficulties when longer stays are required for follow-up consultations and language barriers during treatment.
India attracts around two million international patients annually, with medical tourism covering areas such as cardiology, oncology, organ transplantation, orthopaedics, IVF and robotic surgery, according to figures cited at the conclave. Doctors from other countries are also travelling to India for specialised training.
Kanyi Folivi, Counsellor at the Togolese High Commission, acknowledged India’s online visa facilities for medical visitors. Diplomatic representatives from countries including Seychelles, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Kenya and Zimbabwe also participated in the discussions.
India’s High Commission in Nairobi separately states that more than 10,000 Kenyan nationals travelled to India for medical treatment in 2025, underlining the existing healthcare links between the two countries.
