Sun Feb 01 12:06:35 UTC 2026: ### Hyderabad Eyes Regional Medical Hub Status Following Union Budget Announcement

The Story:
Hyderabad’s healthcare institutions have expressed strong support for the Union Budget 2026-27 proposal to establish five Regional Medical Hubs across India. The initiative aims to position India as a global medical tourism destination. Administrators of major corporate hospitals in Hyderabad believe the city is well-suited to be selected as a hub, given its existing infrastructure, skilled manpower, and substantial inflow of international patients. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced that the Central Government would partner with the private sector to create integrated healthcare complexes encompassing clinical services, education, research, AYUSH centers, tourism facilitation, diagnostics, post-care, and rehabilitation.

Industry leaders are welcoming the vision but emphasize the need for deeper ecosystem reforms and clearer coordination between the Central and State governments.

Key Points:

  • The Union Budget 2026-27 proposes establishing five Regional Medical Hubs in India.
  • Hyderabad’s healthcare institutions strongly support the proposal and believe the city is a strong contender.
  • In 2025, Telangana Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu stated the State attracts over 1 lakh international patients annually.
  • Vijay Anand Reddy, director, Apollo Cancer Centres, reports that nearly 30% of Apollo Hyderabad’s patients are international, drawn by cost-effective and personalized care.
  • Industry leaders emphasize the importance of Centre-State coordination for effective implementation, given healthcare is largely a State subject.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hyderabad possesses existing infrastructure, including advanced tertiary care, high patient volumes, medical education and research.
  • The city’s cost-effectiveness and skilled clinicians provide a competitive edge in the medical tourism sector.
  • Successful implementation of the Regional Medical Hub initiative requires strong collaboration between the Central Government and State Governments.
  • The Regional Medical Hubs align with the government’s initiative to bolster India’s global image as an attractive investment destination.
  • Improved connectivity to Hyderabad via high-speed rail corridors may further boost the city’s potential as a medical tourism destination.

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