Medical Treatment in India for Nigerian Patients

A practical guide for Nigerian patients and families planning treatment in India - routes from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, e-Medical Visa paperwork, indicative costs and end-to-end coordination.

Why Nigerian families choose India for treatment

Nigeria sends more patients to India than any other country in West Africa. Families from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu travel for cardiac surgery, cancer care, kidney and liver transplants, neurosurgery, joint replacement and fertility treatment - the areas where India's accredited private hospitals combine high case volumes, senior surgeons and costs 60–80% below United States or United Kingdom levels.

Arodya handles the coordination so your family does not have to. We review your reports, present verified hospital and doctor options, obtain hospital-confirmed cost estimates before you commit to travel, and assign one named coordinator for the whole journey. The service is free for patients - hospitals pay us, you never do.

60–80%

Lower than US and UK prices

1 day

Typical case review turnaround

60+

JCI-accredited hospitals in India

English

Care delivered in English throughout

Travelling from Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt

Most Nigerian patients reach India with one stop, connecting through Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Nairobi. Allow 13–18 hours in total. Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV) are the main departure points, with Mumbai and Delhi the usual arrival cities.

Planning detail What to expect
Departure airports Lagos (LOS), Abuja (ABV), Port Harcourt (PHC)
Common connecting hubs Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Nairobi
Typical journey time 13–18 hours with one 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 delivered in English throughout

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 naira 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 Nigeria

At roughly 1,560 NGN to the US dollar, the gap below is what most Nigerian families are weighing when a specialist recommends surgery. The saving is widest in oncology and cardiac care, and for bone marrow transplant the question is availability rather than price.

Treatment Cost in India (USD) Cost in Nigeria or abroad Typical saving
Cancer treatment (comprehensive) $6,000 – $15,000 $40,000 – $80,000 Up to 85%
Cardiac bypass surgery $5,000 – $8,000 $30,000 – $60,000 Up to 83%
Orthopaedic joint replacement $4,000 – $7,000 $20,000 – $40,000 Up to 80%
Kidney transplant $13,000 – $20,000 $50,000+ Up to 74%
IVF and fertility treatment $2,500 – $4,000 $4,000 – $8,000 Up to 60%
Bone marrow transplant $25,000 – $40,000 Limited availability Access as well as cost

Figures are indicative and exclude flights, visas and accommodation. A hospital-verified estimate follows once a specialist has reviewed your reports.

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, serviced accommodation for attendants and help with onward domestic travel inside India.

A patient from Nigeria

“Fortis Hospital Gurgaon gave me a new life. Arodya helped me understand the process, arrange everything, and stay connected throughout my recovery.”
Chioma O. · Kidney transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon, 2023

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 Nigerian patients

Do Nigerian patients need a visa for medical 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.

How long does it take to fly from Lagos to India?

Plan for 13–18 hours in total with one stop, connecting through Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Nairobi before arriving in Mumbai or Delhi.

Can two family members travel with the patient?

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

Will there be a language barrier in India?

No. Medical education in India is in English, so consultations, consent discussions and discharge instructions are all conducted in English.

How much do Nigerian patients save by treating in India?

Most procedures cost 60–80% less than in the United States or United Kingdom, and are typically well below private treatment costs in Europe or the Gulf.

How is the hospital bill settled?

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

Is Arodya free for Nigerian patients?

Yes. 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 should a Nigerian patient choose?

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

How quickly can surgery be scheduled?

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

Can a specialist review my case before I book flights?

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 happens after I return to Nigeria?

Your coordinator arranges follow-up teleconsultations with the treating doctor and shares discharge summaries and care instructions with your physician in Nigeria.

Are the cost estimates final?

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