Pankaj Chandna, Co-Founder of Vaidam Health, shares exclusive insights into India’s rising appeal as a global healthcare hub in this interview. With steady double-digit growth in international patients post-pandemic, Vaidam is capitalizing on demand from Africa and Southeast Asia for specialties like oncology, cardiac surgery and organ transplants. He highlights how AI, virtual consultations and recent expansions are transforming patient journeys toward tech-driven, outcome-focused care.
1. Over the last 5 years, what trends have you seen in international patient volumes coming to India through Vaidam in terms of growth rate, top source countries and most requested specialties?
We have seen steady growth in international patient numbers over the last five years. There has been a strong rebound post-pandemic and double-digit annual growth. Some of the key source markets for international patients include Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh. We have also witnessed steady growth from other parts of Africa and Southeast Asia as well. Cardiac surgery, oncology, orthopedic surgery, organ transplantation and neurosurgery are the most demanded specialties. There has been an increasing interest in complex oncology treatments and spinal surgeries. Patients are no longer just cost-conscious. They are also looking at outcomes, hospital certifications, and their doctors’ experience. This is a maturing international patient segment who are looking at India not only for cost-effectiveness but also for the quality of care.
2. Which advanced treatments and specialties do you expect will bring the most foreign patients to India by 2030?
Oncology, particularly precision oncology and immunology, is anticipated to contribute substantially to the influx of foreign patients in the coming years. Advanced cardiac procedures, including minimally invasive valve replacement and bypass surgery, will continue to attract patients from Africa and Central Asia. Organ transplantation, particularly liver and kidney, will also continue to attract a substantial number of medical tourists. This is because of India’s expertise in surgical procedures and well-structured protocols. Robotic orthopedic and spine surgery will also gain traction with the addition of next-generation equipment. Other areas of demand for medical tourism in India include advanced neurosurgery, fertility treatments, and regenerative medicine. Patients will increasingly look for facilities with integrated treatment options rather than standalone procedures.
3. What percentage of your international patient enquiries now begin with virtual consultations or second opinions, and how has that share changed since before COVID-19?
Nowadays, over half of international patient inquiries to us begin with virtual consultations and second opinions. This was not the case before COVID-19. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, international patients were mostly initiating their travel plans. Now, COVID-19 has forced patients to adopt the concept of remote medical reviews as a first step. Patients are now preferring to share their medical reports and talk to Indian doctors virtually before planning their travel. This has helped to ensure a better understanding of patient cases and has increased patient confidence. It has also streamlined the process and ensured better documentation and better patient and hospital understanding.
4. After acquiring MediJourney, what specific technology or capabilities have you integrated into Vaidam’s platform, and how has that changed the patient experience or case-processing speed?
We have been able to incorporate improved case management dashboards, structured medical data capture tools and workflow automation into our systems. This has improved the way medical reports are organized, circulated, and shared with the partner hospitals. For example, the automated reminders and real-time tracking have minimized the need for manual interventions and reduced the overall processing time for cases. Similarly, the patients have been able to get a better understanding of the reports and faster preliminary opinions. The overall patient experience has been improved with the transparency and predictability of the entire treatment process from the initial query stage.
5. You have recently expanded your information centres and on-ground teams into Africa and Southeast Asia. What early signals are you seeing from these regions about the future of medical travel to India?
The early signals from Africa and Southeast Asia are very encouraging. People in these markets are not only seeking formal guidance rather than relying on referrals. There is a high demand for transparent pricing models, doctor credentials, and travel planning before the patient travels to India. Our on-ground teams have helped build trust in these markets through local language support and in-person counseling before the patient travels to India. There is also a rising trend in complex oncology and pediatric cardiac cases. This indicates that patients are now becoming more aware of the different treatment options that are available to them. There are also formal partnership discussions with governments and insurance providers in these markets, which indicates that medical travel to India is likely to become more formalized in the future.
6. How is Vaidam currently using AI or machine learning, and what new capabilities do you want to build by 2030?
At present, we are utilizing AI-driven tools for enquiry triage, document classification, and initial matching with relevant specialties and hospitals. Machine learning algorithms assist us with the prioritization of emergency cases and the identification of incomplete information at the earliest stage. Additionally, we are utilizing analytics tools to ascertain trends for source markets and behavior patterns for patients. Looking ahead to 2030, we plan on developing advanced AI-assisted triage engines with capabilities for creating structured treatment plans and cost estimations/risk assessments based on uploaded medical information. Outcome benchmarking and improved post-treatment follow-up tracking with the help of predictive analytics will further add a personalization dimension.
7. Documentation and clearances are major bottlenecks in medical tourism. Which digital tools or workflows are currently most effective in reducing turnaround time for medical records, hospital approvals, visas and insurance authorisations?
Structured digital intake forms, medical record templates, and centralized document repositories have reduced turnaround times considerably. Automated workflow systems enable simultaneous processing of cases in multiple hospitals. This way, the cases are reviewed in parallel rather than sequentially. Patient tracking systems enable the monitoring of stages of approvals in real time. Secure sharing of passports, visas, and insurance documents reduces the need to resubmit them. Pre-screening of cases through online consultations reduces the risk of rejection of visas for unsuitable medical cases. These changes have reduced the average processing time of cases. This is particularly important for international patients with time-sensitive medical conditions.
8. As more Indian hospitals invest in robotics, proton therapy and complex cardiac or neuro procedures, how is the patient profile shifting from cost-driven to technology and outcome-driven?
The patient mix is slowly transforming from being cost-driven to technology- and outcome-driven. While cost continues to be a factor, patients are increasingly inquiring about robotic platforms, imaging modalities, and survival rates. Proton therapy, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and complex neurological procedures are attracting patients who compare India not only with their own country but also with the world. They are inquiring about outcomes in terms of complication rates, length of stay, and rehabilitation outcomes. This is a reflection of a more educated patient mix seeking high-end facilities along with experienced hands. India’s ability to deliver high-end facilities at competitive costs reinforces its position as a value-plus destination.
9. How do current and emerging regulations on AI, data privacy and teleconsultations both in India and in key source countries shape the way you design virtual-first services for overseas patients?
Regulations related to data privacy and teleconsultations are also considered while ensuring the development of secure and compliant digital processes. We prioritize the storage of encrypted data, consent-based sharing and audit trials for the exchange of medical information. Cross-border teleconsultations are conducted while ensuring compliance with guidelines set by medical councils and partner hospitals. We are also aware of the changing AI governance frameworks to ensure that AI is used as an assistive tool and not a governing authority. In the key source countries, there is a heightened sense of data privacy, and transparency about the use of medical information is a strategic imperative.
10. If you imagine a typical Vaidam patient journey in 2030 from the first online search and AI-assisted triage through treatment to long-term remote follow-up, what will look most different from today, and what parts must stay human-led to preserve trust?
The most noticeable change that will be seen by 2030 will be the seamless digital front end. Patients will go from searching the web to AI-assisted triage, document upload, and treatment paths within a matter of hours. Cost calculations, comparisons between hospitals, and travel arrangements will all be integrated on a single screen. There will also be remote monitoring that will allow for follow-up from the patient’s home country. However, human-led counseling will remain at the forefront. Discussions about disease, risk, and prognosis require sensitive handling, and this can only be done by experts. Trust in medical tourism must be built on empathy, understanding, and ethics, though these can be enabled, not replaced, by technology.
