New Delhi, March 17 The escalating conflict in West Asia is likely having an adverse impact on medical tourism in the capital, with hospitals across Delhi-NCR reporting an average decline of around 30 per cent in international patient arrivals.
Experts say the influx of patients from West Asia has been most affected, leading to a sharp drop in arrivals and impacting hospital revenues. Medical experts and city hospitals say the region has traditionally been the largest source for medical tourism in the capital.
"Iraq and other West Asian nations account for approximately 25-30 per cent of our international patient arrivals and revenue. Consequently, the current instability has had a severe negative impact on our overall international operations," said Ratnesh Sinha, Chief Marketing Officer, Pushpawati Singhania Hospital & Research Institute (PSRI) in south Delhi.
Military escalations between the US and Israel and Iran have triggered a prolonged conflict in West Asia, disrupting travel and connectivity across the region.
Echoing similar concerns, Dr (Prof) Purshotam Lal, Chairman, Metro Group of Hospitals, which has key centres in East Delhi, said West Asia remains the largest market for Indian healthcare services, contributing around 30-40 per cent of international medical travellers.
"We have observed a disproportionate impact on patient arrivals from this region, mainly from Iraq, Oman and neighbouring countries from where patients usually travel for planned procedures," he told