41st anniversary of The Times of India, Bengaluru: World-class treatment at a fraction of the cost
Known primarily for its booming IT sector, the city is now drawing global attention for its excellence in the medical field – combining affordability with advanced infrastructure. The city now boasts of some of the finest multi-speciality and superspeciality hospitals in Asia, attracting patients from across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Mauritius and the Maldives.
World-class doctors, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive ecosystem have all turned Bengaluru into a medical hub where healing meets hospitality.
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Medical value travel
Akshay Oleti, the vice-president and business head at Fortis Hospitals, told TOI there are three major factors driving Bengaluru's medical tourism boom.
'First, the weather. Patients who come to India for treatment often bring their families along. The city's cosmopolitan nature and year-round moderate climate make it an ideal choice. The second reason is connectivity. Over the past few years, we've seen a surge in international connectivity, making the city more accessible.
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For any medical tourist, fewer flight changes matter a lot. Third, the availability of high-end, modern medical care.
We're seeing largescale investments in robotics, minimally invasive surgeries, and advanced daycare procedures,' he explained.
He further said: 'We've seen a sharp rise in patients from countries such as Oman, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. With investments in robotics, advanced diagnostics, and day-care procedures, Bengaluru now offers treatments that once required long hospital stays, with better outcomes and shorter recovery windows.'
The range of specialities is wide. Neurology, for instance, is a major draw, with deep brain stimulation, spine tumour operations, and movement disorder surgeries gaining traction among international patients.
Dr Madhu Sasidhar, the president and CEO of Apollo Hospitals, echoed Oleti's views: 'We are seeing more international patients opting for Bengaluru due to its advanced infrastructure, expert medical teams, and efficient systems.
Our hospitals offer precision oncology, robotic-assisted surgeries, and targeted radiation therapies, along with patient-friendly services such as day-care chemotherapy, all of which appeal to those seeking faster, more comfortable treatment journeys.
'
He added that supportive care, including rehabilitation, counselling, and wellness therapies such as yoga and Ayurveda are often built into the recovery process, giving Bengaluru an edge over other global destinations.
The shift is visible across multiple specialities.
Dr Ranjan Shetty, the medical director at Sparsh Hospitals, spoke about a consistent rise in patients from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, especially for complex orthopaedic surgeries, neuro interventions, transplants, and oncology.
'We're seeing between 2,000 and 3,000 international patients annually. What brings them here is a combination of clinical depth, technology, and compassionate care,' he said.
While patients from Bangladesh used to constitute a major chunk of foreign patients earlier, recent visa delays have impacted their numbers.
'Proximity and affordability'
Karthik Rajagopal, the group COO at Manipal Hospitals, said: 'Bengaluru is always a preferred destination for international patients coming to India, given the accessibility of medical facilities. There are patients who come from the SAARC countries, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Africa, each bringing unique cultural perspectives to create a vibrant, multicultural healing environment.'
Rajagopal further said: 'Patients from Bangladesh and the Maldives form a significant portion of Manipal Hospitals' international patient base, owing to its proximity and affordability. The Maldives, with limited advanced medical infrastructure, sends patients here seeking specialised care.'
According to Dr Simanta G. Sharma, the head of healthcare development and transformation at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru is emerging the healthcare capital of India largely because of easy availability and quality of healthcare establishments across the city.
'It's not just one or two hospitals. We have a network of multi-speciality and super-speciality hospitals that offer world-class services. These institutions are at par with some of the best healthcare systems globally, including those in the UK, US, and western Europe,' Dr Sharma said.
And yet, the cost of treatment here is significantly lower, often just a tenth of what it is in the West. 'So, for medical value travellers, Bengaluru is an unbeatable combination: global standards of care at a fraction of the price,' Dr Sharma added.
Rising demand for eye care
Super-speciality eye care is one of the key areas where Bengaluru has emerged as a medical destination of choice for patients from all over the world.
Explaining this trend, Dr Sushmitha Sriganesh from Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital said: 'We treat more than 400 international patients every year, largely from Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, Mauritius, and the Middle East. Many come to us for advanced cataract surgeries, LASIK, SMILE, glaucoma cure, and oculoplasty.
These are procedures that may be unavailable or unaffordable in their home countries.
'
Fertility clinics in demand
Fertility is another area witnessing increasing global demand. Abhishek Aggrawal, the CEO of Birla Fertility & IVF, says the Bengaluru centre is seeing a surge in overseas interest, particularly from Oman, Iraq, and Sudan.
'These patients are not just looking for affordability, they're looking for expertise and trust. Our patients come for IVF, fertility preservation, and advanced diagnostics, and what they value most is the personalised care and end-to-end support we offer — from treatment planning to accommodation and language coordination,' Agarwal said.
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