India for Inexpensive Medical Tourism

I came to live in Dharamsala, India in 2008, after living in Japan 1987-2007, because I had felt the peacefulness of the surrounding mountains when I first visited the hill station in 1991. Besides the villages around upper Dharamsala, I have felt such peace only at Mount Kailash, Tibet and the Ramana Maharshi ashram in Tiruvannamalai, south India (though I am sure it pervades countless other locations in and around the vast Himalayan range, as well as the ashrams of other south Asian saints). That peace continues to relieve my stress, and ease my mind and body.

From time immemorial, the Himalayas have beckoned sages, yogis, philosophers and artists. Hindus view the Himalayas as supremely sacred. Their grandeur is a constant reminder of the loftiness of the human soul, the alaya consciousness. Many sages and prophets have found the Himalayas ideal for spiritual pursuits. Apart from being a natural heritage and being a godly figure to the Hindus, the Himalaya is the spiritual heritage for Buddhists too; Dharamsala is the home-in-exile HHXIV the Dalai Lama.

The best Tibetan doctors in the world are also in Dharamsala, imo. I saw world-renowned Dr. Yeshi Dhonden periodically from the 2000s until his death in 2019 at age 92. Since then, I see Dr. Choephel Kalsang, who was Dr. Dhonden’s assistant for many years. I never had any serious medical condition, but saw them and got prescriptions for Tibetan herbal pills to keep me in good health. Now past 60, I see them to ward off conditions that are common in older men. Partly because I’ve been seeing the same doctors and taking Tibetan medicine for roughly 30 years, I can stay healthy by getting a few months’ worth of pills per year. It’s very inexpensive, btw, around $10-20 for a month’s prescription, depending on one’s condition.

Besides the traditional medicine, India has become a popular destination for Americans with serious medical conditions, the treatment for which would bankrupt them at home. India is already 60-80% cheaper for medical treatments than the US, UK, Canada and Europe, and has become the world’s top medical tourism destination. With the new budget policies, affordability will improve even further. Fast, hassle-free medical visas make it easier for patients to travel to India for treatment.

India has long been a preferred destination for international patients seeking high-quality, affordable medical treatment. The Union Budget 2025 introduces several healthcare reforms that will further reduce treatment costs, improve accessibility, and strengthen India's medical tourism industry. The government has introduced the 'Heal in India' initiative to promote medical tourism in partnership with the private sector. A key component of this initiative is the simplification of visa processes for international patients, making it more convenient for them to access India's healthcare services. This streamlined approach is expected to attract a larger influx of medical tourists, thereby boosting the sector's growth.

To cater to the growing demand from international patients, the budget proposes the establishment of daycare cancer centers in all district hospitals. Approximately 200 such centers are planned for the 2025-26 period, ensuring that specialized cancer care is accessible across the country. This expansion not only benefits domestic patients but also enhances India's appeal to medical tourists seeking quality cancer treatment.

In a move to make treatments more affordable, the government has exempted basic customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs used in the treatment of cancer and rare diseases. This reduction in costs is particularly beneficial for international patients, as it lowers the overall expenses associated with medical care in India.

I would suggest that, if you come to India for medical treatment, you make time to visit either the Ramana ashram in the south, or Dharamsala in the north, as you might be inclined to live here permanently.