Shares of hospital companies traded higher after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Union Budget, proposed a scheme to support states in setting up five regional medical hubs, aimed at positioning India as a global hub for medical tourism services.
Max Healthcare Institute (up 3.45%), Narayana Hrudayalaya (up 1.50%), and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (up 1.15%) edged higher.
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament said, "To promote India as a hub for medical tourism services, I propose to launch a Scheme to support States in establishing five Regional Medical Hubs, in partnership with the private sector."
These Hubs will serve as integrated healthcare complexes that combine medical, educational and research facilities. FM also added "They will have AYUSH Centres, Medical Value Tourism Facilitation Centres and infrastructure for diagnostics, post-care and rehabilitation. These Hubs will provide diverse job opportunities for health professionals including doctors and AHPs."
The initiative is expected to support higher foreign patient inflows, improve revenue visibility, and drive long-term growth for the hospital sector. The announcements were made during Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation in the Lok Sabha.