Deciding to travel to India for medical treatment is a significant step. For patients and families in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and across Africa, the process can feel overwhelming — especially when you are managing a serious diagnosis at the same time.

This guide walks through every stage of the journey, from the first inquiry to returning home after treatment. It is designed to give you a realistic picture of what to expect, so you can plan with confidence rather than uncertainty.

The journey begins before you book anything. A free treatment opinion is an initial review of your situation by a medical tourism coordinator. You share your condition, available medical documents, country, and timeline. The coordinator identifies the most relevant hospitals and specialists and responds with a clear summary.

This step is free and carries no obligation. It helps you understand whether India is the right option for your condition, which hospitals are most relevant, and what the process looks like before you commit to anything.

You can request a free treatment opinion for India through Wiseheal's dedicated Africa inquiry page.

Once your coordinator has reviewed your request and documents, they identify two or three hospitals and specialists that are most relevant to your condition. For most conditions, this means hospitals in Delhi NCR — including Medanta, Manipal, Fortis, Apollo, Max, and Artemis — which are among India's highest-rated facilities for international patients.

Your coordinator will explain the differences between the options — specialist experience, hospital accreditation, estimated timelines, and general cost ranges. You are not committed to any hospital at this stage.

• The specific condition and its complexity
• Whether surgery, chemotherapy, transplant, or another pathway is needed
• The specialist's experience with patients from your country or region
• Availability and waiting times
• General cost range (individual costs must be confirmed with the hospital)

Once you have chosen a hospital, the coordinator requests a formal cost estimate from the hospital's international patient department. This estimate covers the expected procedure, hospital stay, and standard post-operative care.

Important: A cost estimate is not a final bill. Actual costs depend on the complexity of the procedure, the length of the hospital stay, any complications, and additional tests or consultations. The estimate gives you a planning figure, not a guarantee.

The coordinator will also help you understand what is typically included and what is not — for example, whether physiotherapy, follow-up consultations, or medication after discharge are covered.

To apply for an Indian medical visa, you need an invitation letter from the hospital. Once you have confirmed the hospital and received the cost estimate, the hospital's international patient department issues this letter.

The letter confirms that you have been accepted as a patient and includes the hospital's name, address, and registration details. You submit this letter with your visa application at the Indian High Commission or Embassy in your country.

• Apply for the medical visa as early as possible — processing times vary by country
• The medical visa allows multiple entries and a stay of up to one year
• Attendants (family members travelling with the patient) can apply for a medical attendant visa
• Bring original medical documents, the hospital invitation letter, and proof of funds

Processing times at Indian High Commissions in African countries typically range from five to fifteen working days, though this varies. Your coordinator can advise on the current situation in your country.

Once the visa is approved, your coordinator helps with travel planning. This includes:

• Flights — most African capitals have connections to Delhi via Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, or Nairobi. Your coordinator can advise on the most practical routing.
• Airport pickup — Wiseheal arranges airport pickup on arrival in Delhi. A coordinator or driver meets you at the arrivals hall.
• Accommodation — for patients who need to stay near the hospital before or after admission, the coordinator can arrange a guesthouse or serviced apartment close to the hospital.

On arrival in Delhi, your coordinator meets you or arranges for a representative to receive you. They accompany you to the hospital for registration and the initial consultation with the specialist.

At the hospital, the international patient department handles:

• Registration and documentation
• Translation of medical records if needed
• Scheduling of pre-operative tests and consultations
• Admission planning

Most hospitals have dedicated international patient departments with staff experienced in supporting patients from Africa. English is widely spoken, and interpretation support is available for French and Arabic.

The length of the hospital stay depends on the procedure. Some examples:

• Knee or hip replacement: 5–7 days in hospital, 2–3 weeks recovery before flying
• Cardiac bypass surgery: 7–10 days in hospital, 3–4 weeks recovery
• Kidney transplant: 3–4 weeks in hospital, 4–6 weeks recovery before flying
• Cancer chemotherapy: multiple cycles over several weeks, with outpatient visits between cycles
• Neurosurgery: 7–14 days depending on complexity

Your coordinator stays in contact throughout the hospital stay and can help with any practical questions — accommodation for family members, communication with the hospital, or arranging additional tests.

Before discharge, the hospital provides a detailed discharge summary, medication list, and follow-up instructions. Your coordinator helps ensure you have everything you need before leaving the hospital.

For procedures that require a recovery period before flying, the coordinator can arrange accommodation near the hospital. Many patients stay in Delhi for two to four weeks after surgery before returning home.

On return home, your treating hospital in India can provide follow-up consultations by video call. Your coordinator can help arrange these and can assist with any questions about medication, wound care, or next steps.

For ongoing conditions — such as cancer patients who need multiple treatment cycles — the coordinator helps plan return visits and manages the logistics of each trip.

Wiseheal's coordination service is free to patients. The service is funded through coordination fees paid by the hospitals — your hospital bill does not increase because you used a coordinator. There is no hidden charge at any stage of the process.

For elective procedures, the typical timeline from first inquiry to treatment is four to eight weeks — including the time to gather documents, receive the cost estimate, apply for the visa, and travel. Urgent cases can be expedited.

Yes. Most patients travel with at least one family member. The attendant can apply for a medical attendant visa alongside the patient's medical visa application.

The treating hospital manages all clinical decisions. Your coordinator stays in contact and can help with communication, accommodation, and logistics if the hospital stay is extended.

India's leading hospitals — Medanta, Manipal, Fortis, Apollo, Max, Artemis — are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) and several are JCI-accredited (the international standard). The specialists treating international patients typically have training and experience at institutions in the UK, US, or Europe.

English is the primary language of communication at international patient departments. Interpretation support for Arabic and French is available at most major hospitals.