The Union Budget 2026-27 announced the creation of five Regional Medical Hubs to promote India as a global medical tourism hotspot. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on February 1, 2026, that the Central Government will help States set up integrated healthcare complexes with private sector partners. These hubs will combine advanced clinical services, medical education, research, AYUSH centres, Medical Value Tourism Facilitation Centres, and infrastructure for diagnostics, post-care, and rehabilitation. Hyderabad, already receiving many international patients, could benefit from inclusion in these hubs. Telangana Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu said Telangana attracts over 1 lakh visitors annually from the Middle East, Africa, SAARC, and CIS countries. Vijay Anand Reddy, director of Apollo Cancer Centres, said, "We have the infrastructure and manpower to take care of these patients. At Apollo Hyderabad, almost 30% of the patients we see are international patients." He added that patients come from South Asia, Africa, Europe, and the US, drawn by costs nearly one-tenth of those in developed countries and personalised care. Bhaskar Rao, chairman and managing director of KIMS Hospitals, said, "Hyderabad combines advanced tertiary care, high patient volumes, medical education and research within a single ecosystem. Skilled clinicians, cost-effective treatment, strong diagnostics and transplant programmes, and experience in managing international patients give it a competitive edge." P. Hari Krishna, executive director of Medicover Hospitals, added, "The ecosystem extends far beyond hospitals. It encompasses rehabilitation services, post-acute care, hospitality and a skilled workforce, all of which are essential for medical tourism. This makes Hyderabad a plug-and-play destination for such a hub." Mallikarjuna C., managing director of Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), welcomed the plan but noted, "Health is largely looked after by the State," and stressed the need for a "good handshake between the Central and State Governments" for effective implementation. The proposal aims to position India as a medical tourism leader through better healthcare infrastructure and cooperation between the Centre and States.