Care for foreigners means private hospitals in the big cities: Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani in Mumbai and equivalents in Delhi run 24/7 emergency departments and bill in cash or against an insurer's guarantee. Drink only sealed bottled water, and treat comprehensive travel insurance as part of the trip cost rather than an extra.
- See a travel medicine doctor 4 to 8 weeks before departure. Hepatitis A and typhoid are essential, and routine boosters should be current.
- A yellow fever certificate is strictly required from anyone, children included, who spent time in the last 6 days in a yellow-fever country.
- Dengue no longer waits for the monsoon and is now year-round. Use repellent up to 50% DEET and cover up at dawn and dusk.
- Tap water is strictly not drinkable - do not even brush your teeth with it. Use sealed bottles, avoid ice, and skip raw fruit and vegetables washed in tap water.
- Go private for anything acute. City government hospitals are overloaded; Medanta and Max in Delhi and Kokilaben and Lilavati in Mumbai have international patient departments.
Health, insurance and where to be treated
Recommended vaccinations
See a travel medicine doctor 4 to 8 weeks before departure.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid - essential. Both spread through contaminated water and food, a common risk in India.
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough - check your routine boosters are current.
- Yellow Fever certificate - strictly required by Indian customs on arrival from anyone, children included, who spent time in the last 6 days in a yellow-fever country: selected states of sub-Saharan Africa and South/Central America.
Prevention of dengue fever and malaria
Mosquito-borne disease is rising, and dengue no longer waits for the monsoon. Dengue, malaria and chikungunya all occur, with dengue now year-round.
- Vaccines - the Indian regulator CDSCO approved Qdenga in April 2026 for ages 4 to 60. A domestic vaccine, DengiAll by Panacea Biotec, is in Phase III trials with release planned for 2027.
- Repellent - use up to a 50% concentration of DEET.
- Dawn and dusk - mosquito activity peaks; wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and long trousers.
Water and food
- Tap water is strictly not drinkable. Do not even brush your teeth with it. Use water from originally sealed plastic bottles for drinking and hygiene.
- Avoid ice in drinks and raw fruit or vegetables washed in tap water.
Top private healthcare facilities for foreigners
City government hospitals are overloaded and unsuitable for acute care of foreigners. Go to a private clinic with an international patients department.
- Delhi and Gurugram
- Medanta - The Medicity (Gurugram) - one of the best and most modern hospital complexes in the world, with a full international coordination team. +91 124 414 1414.
- Max Super Speciality Hospital (Saket, New Delhi) - highly rated, JCI-accredited. +91 11 2651 5050.
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital (Sarita Vihar, New Delhi) - top-tier care with full assistance on medical formalities. +91 11 2692 5801.
- Mumbai
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (Andheri West) - JCI-accredited, 24/7 emergency care. +91 22 4269 6969.
- Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre (Bandra West) - excellent private clinic in the western part of the city. +91 22 6931 8000.
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