Dr Azad Moopen
For decades, Kerala has set the benchmark for public health care in India—anchored in a robust public health care infrastructure, a strong focus on primary care, and effective last-mile delivery. Today, driven by a strategic embrace of cutting-edge medical technologies, the state is steadily transforming into a global destination for advanced health care.
Over five lakh international patients are estimated to visit Kerala each year, drawn by high-quality, cost-effective treatment. Notably, a growing share of these patients seek technologically advanced procedures that rival—and in some cases surpass—those offered by traditional global health care hubs, both in quality and delivery. In Kochi’s private hospitals, medical tourism currently accounts for up to 30 per cent of revenue, underscoring the sector’s expanding influence on health care economy.
Strengthening Kerala’s appeal is its rapid adoption of advanced medical technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery, 3D printing, and augmented reality (AR) in surgical planning.
Robotic-assisted surgery
The wider adoption of robotic-assisted surgery has become one of the most significant advances in Kerala’s health care landscape. State-of-the-art technologies such as the da Vinci system are now routinely used across specialities including urology, gynaecology and oncology. These systems enable surgeons to perform complex procedures with far greater precision, reduced blood loss, and minimal postoperative pain. Features such as 3D high-definition vision and wristed instruments enhance surgical accuracy by offering superior depth perception and greater dexterity compared to conventional surgical techniques. The proven effectiveness of robotic procedures has also encouraged more surgeons to pursue specialised training, helping the technology gain a firm foothold across the state, both in government as well as private hospitals.
Patients, particularly those from overseas, are increasingly seeking out these procedures because they offer faster recovery, fewer complications and better outcomes. This rising demand has strengthened Kerala’s reputation for advanced, high-quality care and created a supportive ecosystem for robotic-assisted surgery. Equally assuring is the end-to-end care, from advanced pre-operative diagnostics to structured post-surgical rehabilitation.
Alongside robotics, emerging innovations like 3D printing for customised implants and prosthetics, and augmented reality for surgical planning are increasingly being integrated into treatment protocols. These tools allow doctors to personalise care, particularly in complex cases such as spinal surgery, tumour removal and facial reconstruction. With digital models and virtual simulations, surgeons can anticipate challenges and ensure the best possible care for patients expecting world-class results.
The global opportunity ahead
Kerala’s medical value travel industry currently generates around 40 crore in hospital revenue a month. By placing a stronger focus on technology and specialised care, we could witness this figure increase significantly, even triple.
Stronger partnerships between the government, private hospitals and academic institutions can help strengthen Kerala’s position as a leading destination for medical tourism. Joint research initiatives and training programmes not only improve the quality of care, but also equip the next generation of doctors and surgeons to use advanced technologies with confidence.
By continuing to combine medical expertise with advanced digital tools and a patient-centric approach, Kerala has the potential to compete with international health care hubs like Singapore and Turkey. It can also set a new benchmark for affordable care that is accessible to patients from around the world.
Dr Moopen is the founder chairman & MD of Aster DM Healthcare.