1. Why Bhutanese patients choose India
Short Paro–Delhi flights, visa-free entry, Hindi language overlap, and high-volume cardiac, cancer, and transplant programmes in Delhi NCR make India the first tertiary-care destination for families from Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing.
Accredited hospitals
Apollo, Medanta, Max, Fortis, BLK-Max, Artemis, Manipal, and Narayana — JCI/NABH tertiary care.
BTN quotes
Itemised USD and BTN before you fly from Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, and Gelephu.
Short waits
Cardiac, oncology, and joint replacement can usually start within days of arrival.
Dzongkha / English on the ward
Support in Dzongkha, English, and Hindi for consent and discharge.
2. Bhutan travel snapshot
Who this page is for
This country hub is written for Bhutanese citizens in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, and Gelephu who want a hospital-agreed plan in Delhi NCR before they buy tickets. Families comparing Singapore, Thailand, or Europe use these BTN figures as a planning baseline — not a final bill.
What SI GlobalMedCare includes
- Written specialist opinion and itemised estimate within 24–48 hours
- Hospital visa invitation letter for India–Bhutan friendship travel rules; hospital invitation still used for admission
- Attendant (MX) visa checklist for up to two caregivers
- Flight routing from Paro International Airport (PBH) to Delhi (DEL T3)
- Airport pickup and guest house near the treating hospital
- Dzongkha / English interpretation during rounds, consent, and discharge
- Stay notes: Bhutanese, vegetarian, and kitchen-equipped guest houses near hospital campuses
- Tele follow-up after you return to Bhutan
Usually not in the surgical package
- International airfare and excess baggage
- Tourism, shopping, or extra hotel nights after discharge
- Unplanned ICU / extra implants beyond the agreed estimate
- Donor extra tests for transplant cases (quoted separately)
Send these reports on WhatsApp
- Passport bio page of patient and attendants
- Latest OPD / discharge notes from doctors in Bhutan
- Blood tests, CT/MRI/echo (share DICOM or clear photos)
- Current medication list and known allergies
Coordination timeline
- Day 0 — share reports from Thimphu (or anywhere in Bhutan)
- Day 1–2 — opinion + BTN/USD estimate
- Day 2–3 — invitation letter issued
- Visa window — Visa-free entry for Bhutanese passports; invitation letter in 24 hours
- Arrival — DEL T3 pickup, admission, Dzongkha / English coordinator on the floor
Payment & BTN
Hospitals collect in INR, cards, or USD transfer. We convert every line to BTN so relatives in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, and Gelephu can plan. Airport and hospital desks exchange cash; keep some USD/INR for the first 48 hours.
3. Hospitals in this folder
4. Treatment pages
5. Costs in USD and BTN
| Procedure | USD | BTN | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) | $4,500 - $6,500 | Nu 375,750 - Nu 542,750 | 7 - 10 Days |
| Surgical Tumor Resection | $3,500 - $6,500 | Nu 292,250 - Nu 542,750 | 5 - 8 Days |
| Kidney Transplant (Living Donor) | $11,000 - $14,000 | Nu 918,500 - Nu 1,169,000 | 12 - 15 Days |
| Living Donor Liver Transplant | $24,000 - $30,000 | Nu 2,004,000 - Nu 2,505,000 | 20 - 25 Days |
| Total Knee Replacement (Single) | $3,800 - $5,200 | Nu 317,300 - Nu 434,200 | 5 - 7 Days |
| IVF Cycle (Basic) | $2,500 - $3,500 | Nu 208,750 - Nu 292,250 | 15 - 20 Days |
6. Medical visa
Bhutanese citizens generally enter India visa-free with a valid Bhutanese passport under the India–Bhutan arrangement. SI GlobalMedCare still issues an official hospital invitation letter for admission, attendant coordination, and overland travel via Phuentsholing when needed.
Bhutanese passport (valid), hospital invitation letter, local medical reports, passport photos, and proof of funds for hospital billing.
7. Travel from Thimphu
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly Paro to Delhi in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Many families also travel overland via Phuentsholing to Siliguri / Bagdogra and onward to Delhi. Pickup at DEL Terminal 3. Bhutanese, vegetarian, and kitchen-equipped guest houses near hospital campuses.
Patient notes
"When my father needed a cardiac opinion, SI GlobalMedCare arranged Fortis Escorts within two days of our Paro flight and met us at Delhi airport."
— Tashi Dorji, Thimphu (Fortis Escorts Heart Institute)
"Cancer staging at Apollo Delhi was explained in English before we left Phuentsholing. The invitation letter helped hospital admission even though we entered visa-free."
— Pema Wangmo, Paro (Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals)
8. FAQs for Bhutanese patients
How do Bhutanese patients get an Indian medical visa for medical treatment in India?
Bhutanese passports typically do not need an Indian Medical Visa. We still issue a hospital invitation letter within 24 hours for admission, billing, and attendant coordination. Bhutanese citizens generally enter India visa-free with a valid Bhutanese passport under the India–Bhutan arrangement. SI GlobalMedCare still issues an official hospital invitation letter for admission, attendant coordination, and overland travel via Phuentsholing when needed. SI GlobalMedCare requests the hospital invitation letter after the specialist accepts the file.
Can family from Bhutan travel as medical attendants?
Usually up to two attendants travel on MX / attendant visas using the same hospital invitation. We list passport copies needed from Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, and Gelephu.
Will someone speak Dzongkha / English in Delhi?
Yes. Case managers work in Dzongkha, English, and Hindi on WhatsApp, consent, ward rounds and discharge for Bhutanese families.
How long is the journey from Thimphu to Delhi?
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly Paro to Delhi in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Many families also travel overland via Phuentsholing to Siliguri / Bagdogra and onward to Delhi. Typical fare band: $180 - $380. We meet you at IGI Terminal 3.
Are costs for medical treatment in India shown in BTN?
Hospital bills are INR or USD. Every estimate we send also shows BTN so relatives in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, and Gelephu can plan. ICU overruns and implants are listed separately.
Which Delhi hospitals treat Bhutanese patients?
Apollo Delhi, Medanta Gurugram, Artemis, Fortis Escorts, Max Saket, BLK-Max, Manipal Dwarka and Narayana — matched to the diagnosis, not a slogan.
How do I start a case from Bhutan?
WhatsApp reports to +91 7289892654 or use the form on this hub. You receive a written opinion and BTN/USD estimate, then the visa letter.
Is SI GlobalMedCare owned by the hospitals?
No. We are an independent facilitator. Treatment decisions stay with licensed hospital doctors.