Medical Treatment in India for Kenyan Patients

A practical guide for Kenyan patients and families planning treatment in India - direct flights from Nairobi, e-Medical Visa paperwork, indicative costs and end-to-end coordination.

Why Kenyan families choose India for treatment

Kenya is one of the largest sources of medical travel to India in East Africa. Patients from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret come for cardiac surgery, oncology, transplants, neurosurgery, orthopaedics and fertility care - treatments where India combines high case volumes, accredited hospitals and prices 60–80% below United States or United Kingdom levels.

Arodya coordinates every part of that journey. We review your reports, present verified hospital and doctor options, obtain hospital-confirmed cost estimates before you commit to travel, and give you one named coordinator from first contact to safe return. The service is free for patients - hospitals pay us, you never do.

5.5–7h

Direct flight from Nairobi

60–80%

Lower than US and UK prices

60+

JCI-accredited hospitals in India

Swahili

Interpreter support on request

Travelling from Nairobi or Mombasa

Kenya has excellent air links to India. Direct services operate from Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) in Nairobi to Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi (DEL), with a flight time of roughly 5.5–7 hours. Patients from Mombasa (MBA) usually connect through Nairobi or the Gulf.

Planning detail What to expect
Departure airports Nairobi (NBO), Mombasa (MBA)
Flight options Direct services from Nairobi to Mumbai and Delhi
Typical flight time 5.5–7 hours non-stop
Arrival cities in India Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad
Visa route India e-Medical Visa, usually issued in 2–5 business days
Currency note Treatment is quoted in US dollars
Language support Care is in English; Swahili interpreters on request

Airline schedules, fares and visa processing times change. We confirm the current position with you before anything is booked.

What treatment costs in India

Procedure Cost in India (USD) Typical cost in the US or UK Recovery
Cardiac bypass or valve surgery $5,000 – $8,000 $80,000 – $150,000 4–6 weeks
Cancer treatment (comprehensive) $6,000 – $15,000 $40,000 – $150,000 Varies by type and stage
Knee replacement $4,000 – $7,000 $30,000 – $50,000 6–8 weeks
Hip replacement $5,000 – $8,000 $30,000 – $60,000 6–10 weeks
Spine surgery $5,000 – $14,000 $60,000 – $110,000 6–16 weeks
Neurosurgery $5,000 – $18,000 $50,000 – $150,000 4–12 weeks
Kidney transplant $13,000 – $20,000 $250,000+ 3–6 months
Liver transplant $28,000 – $50,000 $500,000+ 3–6 months
Bone marrow transplant $25,000 – $40,000 $300,000+ 3–6 months
IVF cycle $2,500 – $4,000 $12,000 – $25,000 1–2 weeks per cycle

Ranges are indicative of accredited private hospitals and exclude flights, visas and accommodation. Treatment is quoted and settled in US dollars, so the Kenyan shilling rate on the day of transfer is worth checking with your bank. A hospital-verified estimate follows once a specialist has reviewed your reports. Browse the full treatment directory for detail on each programme.

Treatment costs in India compared with Kenya

The saving is largest where the procedure is scarce at home. At roughly 145 KES to the US dollar, the figures below are what Kenyan families typically weigh up when a specialist recommends surgery.

Treatment Cost in India (USD) Cost in Kenya or abroad Typical saving
Cancer treatment (comprehensive) $6,000 – $15,000 $30,000 – $60,000 Up to 80%
Cardiac bypass surgery $5,000 – $8,000 $25,000 – $50,000 Up to 80%
Orthopaedic joint replacement $4,000 – $7,000 $18,000 – $35,000 Up to 78%
Kidney transplant $13,000 – $20,000 $40,000+ Up to 68%
IVF and fertility treatment $2,500 – $4,000 $3,500 – $7,000 Up to 55%
Bone marrow transplant $25,000 – $40,000 Very limited locally Access as well as cost

Figures are indicative and exclude flights, visas and accommodation. Bone marrow transplant is the clearest case for travelling: the issue is availability rather than price.

Your medical visa, step by step

1

Send your reports

Share scans, discharge summaries and test results by WhatsApp or email. A short case summary is enough to begin.

2

Get doctor options

Specialists review the case and we return with hospital choices, proposed treatment plans and indicative costs.

3

Receive the hospital invitation letter

Once you choose a hospital, it issues the invitation letter needed for the Indian e-Medical Visa application.

4

Apply for the e-Medical Visa

Apply online with your passport, photograph, the hospital letter, proof of funds and your travel plan. Up to two family members can apply for e-Medical Attendant visas.

5

Travel and treatment

We arrange airport pickup, accommodation near the hospital, admission and interpreters, then stay in contact through discharge and follow-up.

Have ready: a passport valid for at least six months, the hospital invitation letter, a passport-size photograph, proof of funds and confirmed return tickets.

What your coordinator handles

Hospital and doctor shortlists

Verified options showing the surgeon's experience, the hospital's accreditation and realistic timelines. You make the final choice.

Browse hospitals

Costs before you fly

Hospital-confirmed estimates and treatment timelines, so there are no surprises after admission.

How we work

Travel and stay

Visa paperwork, airport pickup, accommodation for attendants and help with onward domestic travel inside India.

A patient from Kenya

“Max Hospital handled my bypass surgery professionally. Arodya arranged everything - from medical visa to post-surgery care.”
Samuel K. · Bypass surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket, 2024

Start with a free case review

Send your reports today and receive doctor options with a hospital-verified estimate within one business day.

Talk to a coordinator

Get a tailored treatment plan

Who needs careStep 1 of 3

Share your reports and we will connect you with a specialist team within 24 hours.

FAQ

Questions from Kenyan patients

Do Kenyan patients need a visa for treatment in India?

Yes. Apply online for the India e-Medical Visa once your chosen hospital has issued an invitation letter. Approval usually takes 2–5 business days.

Are there direct flights from Nairobi to India?

Yes. Direct services run from Nairobi to Mumbai and Delhi with a flight time of about 5.5–7 hours, and onward domestic flights reach Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Can a family member come with me?

Yes. Up to two attendants can apply for e-Medical Attendant visas alongside your e-Medical Visa, and we help arrange accommodation for them close to the hospital.

Will I be understood at the hospital?

Yes. Indian medical teams work in English throughout, and we can arrange Swahili interpreters for consultations, consent discussions and discharge instructions.

How much do Kenyan patients save by treating in India?

Most procedures cost 60–80% less than in the United States or United Kingdom, and are frequently below equivalent private pricing in Nairobi or South Africa.

How is the hospital paid?

The hospital invoices you directly and accepts international bank transfer or card payment. Arodya never takes payment from patients - hospitals pay our fee.

Does Arodya charge Kenyan patients?

No. Case review, hospital options, cost estimates and coordination are free for you. Because hospitals pay us, we can also negotiate patient discounts.

Which Indian city is best for my treatment?

It depends on the specialty. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad all host accredited centres - compare them on our cities guide.

How soon can surgery be scheduled?

Leading private hospitals in India generally schedule surgery within a few days to two weeks of arrival, and prioritise time-critical cases.

Can a specialist review my case before I leave Kenya?

Yes. Send your reports and a specialist opinion comes back within about one business day, free of charge and with no obligation to travel.

What follow-up happens once I am home in Kenya?

Your coordinator arranges teleconsultations with the treating doctor and shares discharge summaries and care instructions with your physician in Kenya.

Are the quoted costs final?

They are indicative until the hospital has clinically reviewed your reports. The confirmed estimate is issued before you commit to travel.