Delhi’s Air Pollution A Concern For Foreign Patients But India Remains Key Medical Tourism Hub

Last Updated:December 18, 2025, 12:41 IST

Medical tourism platforms, which work closely with foreign patients and caregivers, say concerns do come up but queries can be resolved with clear and practical discussions

Delhi NCR’s current AQI levels are among the worst in the world. (File)

As air quality worsens across Delhi-NCR and large parts of northern India, concerns are beginning to surface among international patients travelling to the country for medical treatment, News18 has learnt.

While pollution has long been a seasonal challenge, medical tourism facilitators and industry bodies say patients and their families are increasingly asking questions about air quality, even as India continues to remain one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for affordable, high-quality healthcare.

Industry experts say the concern is real, particularly during peak winter months, but add that medical travellers eventually prioritise clinical outcomes and access to specialists over environmental conditions, especially when treatment cannot be delayed.

Patients And families Worried

Dr Abhay Sinha, director general of the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce, told News18 that air pollution is now a consideration for international patients choosing India.

“Air quality is a genuine concern for international travellers, especially for patients who choose India for medical treatment, and we acknowledge our responsibility in this very seriously."

Sinha explained that with implementation of stricter measures, including GRAP across major urban centres, there have been improvements in particulate matter levels. “Based on recent data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), we see a regain of trust building towards the Indian healthcare ecosystem."

He added that pollution-control measures, though challenging, are showing results. “While air quality management is an ongoing challenge, these outcomes reinforce that coordinated action does make a measurable difference. More importantly, they form part of a broader, long-term commitment to environmental improvement."

Medical tourism platforms, which work closely with foreign patients and caregivers, say concerns do come up — but queries can be resolved with clear and practical discussions.

According to Pankaj Chandana, co-founder of medical tourism firm Vaidam Health, “Patients and their families do express concerns around air quality, and these are addressed through practical guidance and precautionary planning, as care often cannot be postponed."

He added that concerns are addressed through planning rather than reassurance. “What patients and caregivers value most is clarity rather than reassurance: practical guidance on precautions, travel timing, and recovery planning."

Similarly, Sonam Garg Sharma, founder and CEO of medical consultancy firm Medical Linkers explained that when someone travels for treatment, they are not planning a holiday. “They are planning around fear, hope, time, and recovery."

“Air quality does come up in conversations, particularly for elderly patients or those with respiratory or cardiac concerns, but for most international medical travellers, the urgency of care remains the primary driver."

These experts added that while the journey around treatment does matter, from airport arrival to follow-ups and recovery, it’s also important to note that day-to-day exposure for medical travellers is often limited.

“A large part of their stay is spent inside hospitals or in controlled, home-style recovery environments, and the overall duration is usually time-bound. In practice, only a small segment of patients, approximately 10 per cent, raise air quality concerns proactively. These are often from Indian-origin countries such as Mauritius who are more familiar with seasonal conditions, and usually when treatment is planned specifically in the Delhi-NCR region," Chandana said.

India’s Medical Strengths Outweigh Concerns

Despite pollution-related anxieties, stakeholders say India’s core strengths as a medical tourism destination remain unchanged. The country attracts international patients for complex surgeries, cancer care, organ transplants and cardiac treatment because of its skilled doctors, accredited hospitals, and cost advantage.

“India continues to be a trusted global hub for medical tourism, backed by world-class healthcare infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals, highly skilled clinicians, and sustained efforts to create a safer, more comfortable environment for patients and their families throughout their stay," Dr Sinha from SEPC said.

Sharma from Medical Linkers said for most patients, medical urgency overrides environmental concerns.

She added that patients coming for critical care remain focused on outcomes rather than surroundings. “Patients coming for critical care are focused on outcomes, timelines, and access to the right expertise. Their stay is structured, time-bound, and largely centred around hospitals or recovery settings."

The industry echoed similar views. “India’s medical strengths remain the core draw, and transparent information combined with thoughtful planning helps ensure a safe and supportive experience for these patients from their arrival to discharge," Chandana said.

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