Four verified moves in the first half of October: Thailand turns medical tourism into a ten-year, five-hub national strategy, Türkiye posts its Q2 numbers, the Philippines courts investment in accredited care, and Malaysia takes its hospitals to Cambodian families.
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01 · Competitor watch · Thailand / Policy
Thailand advances 10-year plan for five health hubs
Medical and wellness is now one of seven priority sectors under national growth policy.
29% — foreign-patient revenue share at Praram 9, up from 15%
The 2025–2034 strategy spans medical services, wellness, health products, academics and conventions. The Health Minister will propose longer medical visas for foreign patients. At Praram 9 Hospital, foreign patients’ revenue share rose from 15% to 29%.
What it means → Thailand is pairing visas, research money and hospital capacity in one plan — India needs equally visible policy levers, not just promotion.
Source: The Nation Thailand, 5 Oct 2026
02 · Market data · Türkiye / Volumes
Türkiye reports 563,327 health-tourism patients in Q2
2025 closed at about 1.4 million patients and US$3.02 billion.
$1.58bn — Türkiye health-tourism revenue, Q2 2026
Q2 2026 brought about US$1.58 billion in revenue. Hospitals serving international patients must obtain TUSKA accreditation by end-2026, and patients can request quotes from up to five hospitals with replies expected within 72 hours.
What it means → Türkiye is making accreditation mandatory and quotes fast — NABH/JCI visibility and a 72-hour response SLA are now table stakes.
Source: Travel And Tour World (citing USHAŞ), 6 Oct 2026
03 · Competitor watch · Philippines / Accreditation
Philippines pitches investors on accredited medical tourism
DOT lists accredited facilities as the Arangkada forum urges healthcare investment.
6 — JCI-accredited hospitals on DOT’s list, Sep 2026
As of September 2026 the Department of Tourism counts 13 accredited hospitals, 21 ambulatory clinics and 10 dental clinics, with 6 hospitals JCI-accredited. A Medical Concierge and Lounge is planned at Manila’s NAIA Terminal 3.
What it means → Airport-level concierge plus a government accreditation list shows how emerging rivals package trust — a model for a Heal in India touchpoint.
Source: Travel And Tour World (citing DOT), 12 Oct 2026
04 · Source-market signal · SE Asia / Outreach
Malaysia takes 14 hospitals to Cambodian families
Phnom Penh health-travel event, 3–4 Oct, drew about 2,000 visitors.
14 — Malaysian hospitals at the Phnom Penh event, 3–4 Oct
Malaysian hospitals met families in person alongside five health talks. Malaysia’s 2025 figures cited: 12,000+ healthcare travellers and RM30.3 million revenue. No new immigration rights or confirmed bookings were announced.
What it means → Rivals are going in-market with hospital-led roadshows — corridor presence in CLMV and Africa needs similar on-ground events, not only partners.
Source: Travel And Tour World (citing Bernama), 13 Oct 2026
Bottom line
Competitors are moving from marketing campaigns to infrastructure: visas, accreditation mandates, airport concierges and in-market roadshows. India’s Heal in India push needs the same end-to-end, policy-backed patient journey to hold its corridors.
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The MVT Pulse · Oct 2026/2 · Curated from public sources. Figures are as reported by the cited sources on the dates shown.