Treat.
Recover.
Return well.

Medical tourism in India means travelling to India for treatment at an accredited hospital, usually to avoid long waiting lists or high costs at home. For people in New Zealand, the most common reasons are elective surgery such as hip and knee replacement, cardiac procedures, IVF, and dental work. Leading Indian hospitals hold NABH or JCI accreditation and have international patient departments. A facilitator like The Strategic Traveller coordinates reports, hospital selection, visas, travel, and aftercare.

Mainly to avoid long waits and high costs. Public waiting lists for elective procedures such as hip and knee replacement can stretch for many months, and private treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Accredited Indian hospitals can usually schedule surgery within weeks of reviewing your reports, at a fraction of the private price, with English-speaking specialists. Our New Zealand-based lead supports you at home and our Delhi team looks after you in India.

At accredited hospitals, yes. We only refer patients to NABH or JCI-accredited hospitals, which follow audited standards for infection control, patient safety, and clinical governance. Specialists review your reports before you travel, so you know your treatment plan and surgeon before you book a flight. Our Delhi team stays with you through treatment and recovery.

Yes, if your treating doctor agrees. Many patients from New Zealand spend one to two weeks recovering before flying home, at Ayurveda centres in Kerala, physiotherapy-led stays near the hospital, or quiet retreats in Rishikesh or Coorg. We plan the recovery stay around your discharge and fit-to-fly date. See our wellness and recovery retreats.

New Zealand passport holders can apply online for an e-Medical Visa through the official Indian Visa Online portal. You need your passport details, a photo, and an invitation letter from the treating hospital. Companions apply for an e-Medical Attendant Visa. Processing usually takes a few business days. Visa rules change, so we confirm the current requirements before you apply.

For patients from New Zealand, treatment in India typically costs 55 to 85 percent less than private treatment at home. As an indication, a hip replacement costs around NZD 10,000 to 14,000 in India compared with NZD 30,000 to 40,000 privately in New Zealand, and cardiac bypass around NZD 8,500 to 12,000 compared with NZD 50,000 to 70,000. Return flights and accommodation are extra, but the overall saving is usually substantial. We send a written estimate in NZD within 48 hours of receiving your reports.

Two teams, one journey from New Zealand to India. Before you travel and after you return, our New Zealand-based lead handles your consultation, reports and consent, visa preparation, pre-departure briefing, and GP handover. While you are in India, our team in Delhi manages hospital appointments, admission, accommodation, transfers, interpreters, and any recovery stay. Both teams work from one shared patient file, so you only deal with one point of contact.

Medical tourism involves travelling to access specific clinical treatments surgery, diagnostics, fertility treatment, or specialist consultations at accredited hospitals. Wellness tourism involves travelling for preventive, restorative, or holistic health experiences Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, spa therapy, or mindfulness retreats that enhance wellbeing rather than treat a diagnosed condition. Many travellers combine both: medical treatment followed by a wellness recovery retreat.