21-05-2025
Indian Medical Tourism Companies Put Pakistani Cases On Hold, Cite National Interest After Operation Sindoor
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Doctors believe that given the uncertainty, it may be in the best interest of patients to seek treatment in a country where long-term access is assured and travel is unhindered
Three Pakistani children aged between three and eight, who were scheduled to undergo complex cardiac surgeries in India, will not be able to travel now following recent restrictions on medical visas for Pakistani nationals.
Since 2010, a significant number of patients from Pakistan have travelled to India for critical organ transplants—particularly liver, heart, and lung procedures. These complex surgeries often represent a last resort, and many families have placed their trust in cross-border medical partnerships.
However, the future of medical travel from Pakistan to India remains uncertain. After the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, India cancelled many visas issued to Pakistani nationals, including those for medical purposes. As of now, all new medical visas remain suspended.
'Three paediatric patients from Pakistan were scheduled to arrive for critical cardiac surgeries. These are highly sensitive and time-bound medical cases that require urgent intervention. However, as per the current government directives, medical visas for Pakistani nationals are being considered only on humanitarian grounds," Manish Chandra, co-founder of a medical tourism company, Vaidam Health, told News18.
India has not announced a blanket suspension, but travel permissions are now handled case-by-case, keeping in view national interest and the evolving diplomatic situation.
At this time, Chandra explained approvals are being granted exclusively for life-threatening conditions, such as complex paediatric heart surgeries. 'The situation continues to evolve, and we are working closely with all relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with the latest guidelines."
While Indians are not dependent on Pakistan for medical needs, many Pakistanis have been coming to India for complex, time-sensitive procedures.
The impact of the updated guidelines has also been felt in the transplant sector. Medical Linkers, a facilitator for international patients, confirmed that three transplant cases from Pakistan—two involving liver and one involving lung—have been put on hold.
'Two patients required liver transplants, and one was scheduled for a lung transplant. However, due to tightening visa restrictions and heightened cross-border tensions, Medical Linkers made the difficult yet responsible decision to temporarily suspend these cases," said Sonam Garg Sharma, founder of Medical Linkers.
Three doctors News18 spoke to said they have been cancelling their surgeries or transplants due to the escalated tensions between two countries.
'As a doctor, my priority is to ensure timely and effective treatment for every patient, Indian or Pakistani. While I do take responsibility for recommending visa approvals in urgent cases, the current situation presents practical challenges," said an oncology specialist working in one of the largest hospital chains in India.
'Even if a transplant or critical procedure is completed here, patients often require multiple follow-up visits—something that may not be feasible under the present circumstances."
He believes that given the uncertainty in bilateral relations, it may be in the best interest of these patients to seek treatment in a country where long-term access is assured and travel remains unhindered.
Medical Tourism from Pakistan
The incoming medical tourism from Pakistan has been on the decline due to stricter visa rules since 2016.
Industry estimates show that over 1,670 medical visas were issued to Pakistanis in 2016. That number dropped significantly, with only 1,228 medical visas granted between 2019 and 2024. In detail: 550 visas in 2019, 97 in 2020, 96 in 2021, 145 in 2022, 111 in 2023, and 225 so far in 2024.
According to a paper titled 'India-Pakistan Trade: Opportunities for Medical Value Travel," published in 2017, a large number of patients from Pakistan travel to India for treatment and surgeries. While Pakistan has been receiving patients from other South Asian countries, such as Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and patients of Pakistani origin from other countries, it does not receive any patients from India.
The paper found that most patients from Pakistan come to Delhi-NCR because of a weekly Lahore-Delhi and Karachi-Delhi flight, but a small proportion also go to Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. 'Even within Delhi-NCR, Pakistani patients visit only a limited number of hospitals. The patients come primarily for liver and kidney transplants, cardiac and infertility consultations."
Nation Above Business
Based on the current scenario, the Indian companies are committed to upholding the protocols outlined by the government of India. 'We are completely aligned with the nation's approach to medical diplomacy during sensitive times," Chandra from Vaidam Health said.
Echoing the sentiment, Sharma from Medical Linkers believes that 'as healthcare professionals, empathy and care lie at the heart of everything we do. But there are rare moments when we are called to navigate a deeper responsibility, not just to our patients, but also to our nation".
In such moments, Sharma said, 'When there is a clear distinction between what is difficult and what is right, we choose to stand by India and support and believe in the decisions of our government. This was not an easy call, but it is one made with integrity and conviction."
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