Country Guides

Medical Cover in India

If you're making plans to move to India, you may well have your accommodation and employment sorted out, but you may not yet have looked into medical cover in India. Goodhealth Worldwide has all the information you'll need, and can help arrange full health insurance for expatriates, whatever your personal circumstances.

Vaccinations

* There is a risk from malaria across a large swathe of India: you should take particular precautions to minimise the risk of bites everywhere where the altitude is less than 2,000 metres, and take a course of the appropriate malarial prophylaxis. All visitors should ensure that their tetanus and polio inoculations are up to date too.

Health Care

All the major cities in India have private, modern hospitals offering a decent standard of medical care for those who can afford it or who have suitable health insurance. Over 80% of healthcare funding comes from the private sector, and poorly-financed government-run hospitals often struggle to cope with patient numbers – in rural areas there is a paucity of even basic medical facilities. It is essential for all expats to take out private medical cover in India.

Political Concerns

India is the world's largest democracy and is a generally peaceful destination for foreign visitors and expatriates. However, there are ongoing tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, whose borders are disputed with neighbouring Pakistan. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel in this area, as well as areas of the India-Pakistan border away from the official border crossing. Separatist violence in Assam and sectarian unrest in Punjab means that extreme caution should be taken in these areas.

Other Risks

Dengue fever and chikungunya virus, both spread by infected mosquitoes, are prevalent in some areas of India. There are no vaccinations available, so try to avoid being bitten by using a DEET-based insect repellent.

Vehicles and transport infrastructure are often badly maintained in India, so take extra care when travelling on roads, especially at night. You should also avoid travelling in rural areas during monsoon season, when there is a high risk of flooding and landslides. Make sure you arrange health insurance in India to protect yourself from all eventualities.