Govt to promote Hyderabad as medical tourism hub: CM

Metro India News | Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the government is making efforts to promote Hyderabad as a medical tourism hub. Reddy also proposed to construct a state-of-the-art Health City in the Future City being developed on the outskirts here.

Speaking after inaugurating the 'Hospital of Gratitude' of Apollo Hospitals at the financial district here on Monday evening, he said the government has requested the Centre to facilitate direct air connectivity from Middle East countries to Hyderabad for those seeking medical treatment.

Talks were also in progress with the airport authority to create a 'Green Channel' system to facilitate the swift transfer of patients to hospitals, the chief minister said. He said Telangana means business and that the government is committed to safeguarding the investors who come forward to establish companies.

The chief minister highlighted that it was Hyderabad in the country that manufactured some of the COVID-19 vaccines and supplied them to the entire world during the pandemic. The friendly ecosystem helped in the production of 40 per cent of the country's bulk drugs from Hyderabad, he said.

He recalled that Apollo opened its first hospital in Chennai 46 years ago and hailed its founder, Pratap C Reddy, for being a pioneer in establishing numerous hospitals across the country.

Temporary dip due to war

Hyderabad’s has witnessed a noticeable dip in recent months due to the war. Recent disruptions have sharply impacted inflows. Hospitals across Hyderabad have reported a 30–40% decline in foreign patient arrivals in early 2026, particularly from the Gulf and African regions. Facilities that typically received 240–250 international patients per month are now seeing numbers fall to nearly 150.

The city, which attracted around 1.55 lakh international patients in 2024—more than double the 75,000 recorded in 2014—has been a key hub for affordable, high-quality healthcare.

Flight disruptions, longer travel durations, and a steep rise in airfares—from Rs 90,000–Rs 1.4 lakh to as high as Rs 2.8 lakh—have discouraged patients from travelling for elective procedures. Many have postponed non-urgent treatments, directly affecting hospital revenues and occupancy rates.

This dip contrasts with the broader national trend. India’s medical tourism sector remains robust, with over 6.44 lakh foreign patients visiting for treatment in 2024, reflecting sustained global demand. Experts view the current slowdown in Hyderabad as temporary rather than structural.