Apollo Hospitals, India’s biggest name in healthcare, is going global—again. With the patient flow from Bangladesh taking a hit, Apollo is now setting its sights on new international markets like Iraq, Oman, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
For years, Bangladesh was Apollo’s biggest source of international patients. Around 45% of India’s medical visas used to go to Bangladeshi citizens. But in 2024, that number dropped by over 28%. Why? Political unrest, anti-India sentiment, and a freeze on visas after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
This dip hit hard. Apollo lost at least ₹100 crore in revenue in FY25. The damage was most visible in its Chennai and Kolkata hospitals, where most Bangladeshi patients come for advanced treatments.
Still, Apollo isn’t standing still.
New Focus: Iraq, Oman, Southeast Asia
Managing Director Suneeta Reddy says the group is already moving into new markets. “We are looking at Iraq, Oman, other Middle East countries, and also Southeast Asia,” she told Moneycontrol.
Apollo has even signed a knowledge-sharing contract with Indonesia. While this doesn’t directly bring patients yet, it opens the door to deeper ties and future referrals.
Africa is also on Apollo’s radar. As Indian healthcare costs remain low compared to the West, countries with weaker health systems are now turning to India for treatments like heart surgery, cancer care, and organ transplants.
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Will Bangladesh Return?
Reddy remains hopeful. “Some Bangladeshi patients have gone to Turkey and Thailand,” she said, “but India still has a cost advantage. We just need to rebuild trust, and that will happen by the end of the year.”
She believes India, and Apollo in particular, will remain a preferred healthcare destination for international patients. After all, Indian hospitals offer 15-20% lower prices, and international patients tend to pay more out of pocket.
Apollo’s Backup Plan
Along with international expansion, Apollo is growing locally. They are targeting more high-end specialties—like cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, and neurology—that bring in higher margins.
They’re also pulling more patients from Indian cities around their hospitals. It’s a smart move while they wait for international numbers to bounce back.
Even with the drop, India issued nearly 4.6 lakh medical visas in 2024. And with countries like Yemen and Somalia also seeing declines due to unrest, it’s clear that geopolitics plays a huge role.
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