Embracing multiple quality assurance pathways for boosting India's Medical Value Travel in Global South

From a Global South perspective, India's pluralistic accreditation model provides a scalable and adaptable pathway for other countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America striving to improve healthcare quality under resource constraints. By promoting South–South collaboration through quality assurance, digital innovation, and ethical frameworks, India can position itself as a catalyst for regional cooperation in medical value travel (MVT). India has emerged as a leading destination for MVT, marked by a 33% increase in international patient inflow in 2023. This growth is primarily driven by India's cost-effective healthcare services, which are 60%-80% less expensive than in developed countries. The Government of India has catalyzed this trend through initiatives like Heal in India and streamlined e-medical visas, while private hospitals have expanded outreach across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. A key differentiator in attracting international patients is hospital accreditation, particularly the Joint Commission International (JCI), which is often considered the global gold standard. However, the high cost of JCI accreditation and limited relevance to domestic and regional patient preferences restricts its widespread adoption, especially among small and mid-sized hospitals. This paper explores possible alternative accreditation pathways, emphasizing the role of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), which offers a contextually appropriate, internationally recognized, and affordable framework. Additional global accreditors such as AACI and GHA are gaining traction due to their cost-effectiveness and adaptability. Importantly, the success of MVT hinges not only on hospital-based care but also on the seamless integration of ancillary service providers such as international and domestic airlines, hospitality and hotel providers, food and nutrition services, medical tourism facilitators, and logistics and transport agencies. A coordinated, patient-centered ecosystem involving these stakeholders is essential for enhancing India's competitiveness. This paper proposes a strategic framework for accreditation and infrastructure development, including the creation of integrated MVT hubs. Strengthening intersectoral collaboration and quality assurance can position India as a global and South$ - $South leader in equitable, trusted, and comprehensive medical travel services.