Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is home to hospitals run by Apollo, Fortis, Narayana Health and Manipal, plus Tata Medical Center, a dedicated cancer hospital. International patients often research the city for exactly that reason: there are several accredited options in one place.
This guide explains what Kolkata offers, what its hospitals’ own records and accreditation certificates actually show, and how to plan a trip around treatment. It is not a ranking, and it does not publish procedure prices, because no reliable public figure can replace a written estimate for your case.
Table of Contents
Why international patients consider Kolkata
Tata Medical Center describes itself as a philanthropic initiative for eastern and north-eastern India and the neighbouring countries. It began operating in Kolkata on 16 May 2011, according to the hospital’s own website.
That is one documented reason the city features in cross-border care. Others are practical:
- Choice of providers. Apollo, Fortis, Narayana Health, Manipal and Tata Medical Center all operate hospitals here (details below).
- Documented accreditation. The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) publishes certificates for several of them.
- An international airport. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is in Dum Dum and has had direct flights to cities such as Dhaka, Bangkok, Singapore and Dubai. Schedules change, so check current timetables.
- Language. Bengali is widely spoken, which many patients from Bangladesh and other Bengali-speaking regions find easier. It does not guarantee that every doctor or nurse will communicate in your language.
Proximity matters most for patients from Bangladesh. Al Jazeera reported that Kolkata is the nearest Indian city to Bangladesh and that its hospitals were among the worst affected when India scaled back visa operations there.
Indian visa application centres in Bangladesh reopened in late June 2026 after tourist visas resumed, ANI reported. Medical visa availability and processing times can still change, so confirm the current position with the Indian mission before you plan travel.
Hospitals in Kolkata worth researching
The table below is a starting point, not an endorsement. It uses each hospital’s own website and, where available, the certificate published on the NABH portal. Bed numbers come from the source named and may have changed.
| Hospital | Location | What the records show |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals | 58 Canal Circular Road | Describes itself as a 750-bed multispeciality tertiary hospital and a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise. States that it holds Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. |
| Fortis Hospital, Anandapur | 730 Eastern Metropolitan Bypass | Lists cardiology and cardiac surgery, pulmonology, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, emergency and critical care. States that it is NABH and NABL accredited. |
| Narayana Hospital, Kolkata | 124 Mukundapur, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass | The NABH certificate lists 681 sanctioned beds and a scope that includes interventional cardiology, adult and paediatric cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac transplant and liver transplant. |
| Manipal Hospitals (Dhakuria, Salt Lake and Mukundapur) | South Kolkata, Salt Lake, Mukundapur | The former AMRI Hospitals. The Dhakuria certificate lists 338 sanctioned beds, and the Salt Lake certificate lists 230 and runs from 2 May 2024 to 1 May 2028. |
| Tata Medical Center | 14 Major Arterial Road (E-W), New Town | A cancer hospital run by a charitable trust. Its NABH certificate lists 457 sanctioned beds and services including medical oncology, head and neck surgery, gynaecological oncology and paediatric services. |
A note on AMRI Hospitals
Older articles and brochures may still mention AMRI Hospitals. Manipal Hospitals acquired an 84% stake in the group in 2023, and its Kolkata units were later rebranded as Manipal Hospitals. If a quotation or document uses the old name, ask which campus and legal entity it refers to.
How to shortlist
Start with the diagnosis, not the brand. Ask each hospital which named specialist would assess you, whether they have treated your exact condition, and which accreditation covers the facility where you would be treated.
Two hospitals may have the same logo and different campuses. Confirm the address in writing.
Kolkata’s medical specialities: what is documented
A city having a speciality is not the same as one hospital or surgeon being right for you. The points below reflect what the sources above document, and nothing more.
Cardiac care in Kolkata
RTIICS’s NABH scope covers interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, and cardiac transplant. Fortis Anandapur lists cardiology and cardiac surgery with a cardiac operation theatre and catheterisation laboratory. Manipal’s Dhakuria certificate includes interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.
Ask who would operate, how many similar procedures that team performs, and what intensive care and rehabilitation follow.
Cancer care
Tata Medical Center is a dedicated cancer hospital, and its certificate lists medical oncology, head and neck surgery, hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery and gynaecological oncology. Manipal’s Dhakuria scope includes medical oncology and haemato-oncology.
Ask whether your biopsy slides and imaging can be reviewed before you travel. Also ask how international patients are admitted: Tata Medical Center states that around 75% of its beds are for general-category patients treated at cost rate, so the route in and the billing may differ from a corporate hospital.
Orthopaedics, neurology and kidney care
Fortis lists orthopaedics, neurosciences, urology and nephrology. Manipal’s Dhakuria certificate includes orthopaedic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery and nephrology. Joint replacement and spine patients should ask about the length of stay, mobility support and fitness to fly home.
Organ transplantation
Transplants involving foreign nationals are regulated under India’s Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act. Government replies in Parliament state that prior approval of an authorisation committee is needed, and the rules require an embassy official to certify the donor–recipient relationship.
Do not book travel for a transplant until the hospital confirms in writing that your case is eligible.
How to verify accreditation
Accreditation is useful evidence of process and safety systems. It does not guarantee an outcome, and it does not tell you that a hospital is the best choice for your condition.
- Check the facility. An accreditation belongs to a specific campus. A certificate for one Manipal or Apollo site does not cover another.
- Check the scope. NABH certificates list the clinical services covered. The Manipal Dhakuria certificate, for example, carries a note that some scope was removed on 22 May 2025.
- Check the dates. Look for the validity period on the certificate.
- Verify directly. NABH states on its certificates that authenticity can be verified by emailing verification@nabh.co. For JCI, use the accredited-organisation search on the JCI website.
Kolkata compared with Chennai and Delhi NCR
Patients with complex needs sometimes compare Kolkata with other Indian cities. Rather than declare a winner, compare the same factors for the same treatment.
| Factor | Kolkata | What to check in Chennai or Delhi NCR |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical fit | Documented scopes are listed above for five providers. | The accredited scope and named specialist at the specific hospital, not the city’s reputation. |
| Getting there | One international airport (CCU) with direct flights to several Asian and Gulf cities. | Direct flights from your departure airport. Delhi NCR spans several districts and cities, so the airport-to-hospital transfer depends on which hospital you choose. |
| Language | Bengali is widely spoken. | Whether interpreters and your preferred language are available at the hospital itself. |
| Total trip cost | Depends on the itemised estimate and length of stay. | Written estimates for the same procedure, with the same inclusions and exclusions. |
| Follow-up | Depends on how long you must stay and whether you need to return. | The same question, plus the cost and effort of a second trip. |
If several cities offer the same treatment, convenience and total trip cost can reasonably decide. If you need a rare service, clinical suitability matters more than distance.
Travelling to Kolkata: airport, visa and documents
Arriving by air
Most international patients fly into CCU. Check the current direct routes from your country, ask the airline about mobility assistance, and plan the transfer from Dum Dum to your hospital. Journey times vary with traffic.
If your condition is serious, ask your doctor whether you are fit to fly.
Medical visa basics
India’s official e-Visa scheme includes an e-Medical visa and an e-Medical Attendant visa for citizens of eligible countries. Indian consulates state that the e-Medical visa can be granted for 60 days with triple entry, and that two e-Medical Attendant visas can be granted with one e-Medical visa.
The Indian consulate in Sydney adds that applicants must apply at least four days before arrival, within a 120-day window, and that biometrics are captured on arrival.
If your nationality is not eligible for the e-Visa, you apply for a regular Medical visa through an Indian mission.
Apollo Hospitals’ overseas-patient guidance states that missions issue a Medical visa valid for up to one year or the period of treatment, whichever is less, with no more than two attendants.
Some missions also ask for a hospital appointment letter generated through the government’s Medical and Ayush Visa Portal, as the Indian embassy in Argentina explains. Ask the mission that will process your application what it requires.
Apply only through the government portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Indian government warns about fraudulent e-Visa websites. Our guide to the Indian medical visa for Bangladeshi patients covers that application in more detail.
Medical records to prepare
- Consultation notes and discharge summaries
- Laboratory, imaging and (where relevant) biopsy or pathology reports
- A current medication and allergy list
- Details of previous procedures
- Your home doctor’s contact details
Ask the hospital whether it can review these remotely. A remote review can flag missing information, but it rarely fixes the final plan or price before an in-person assessment.
Where to stay in Kolkata during treatment
Kolkata’s hospitals are not in one cluster, which affects where you should stay.
- Fortis Anandapur and RTIICS are both on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, and Manipal has a unit in Mukundapur, the same locality as RTIICS.
- Tata Medical Center is in New Town.
- Apollo is on Canal Circular Road.
- Manipal’s other units are in Dhakuria and Salt Lake.
Choose accommodation after you know which hospital and campus you will attend. Distance on a map is a poor guide, so check the actual route and ask the hospital how long transfers usually take.
For longer stays, a serviced apartment with a kitchen may suit an attendant better than a hotel room. Before booking, check lift access, bathroom accessibility, cancellation terms and meal options.
Tata Medical Center’s materials also mention Premashraya, an accommodation facility for outstation patients and their relatives. Ask whether international patients can use it and on what terms.
What treatment in Kolkata really costs
A hospital’s procedure estimate is not the cost of the journey. The full figure combines medical and non-medical spending.
- Hospital charges: consultations, tests, procedure, room, intensive care, medicines and follow-up visits.
- Travel: flights, visas, airport and local transfers.
- Living costs: accommodation and meals for you and your attendant.
- Contingencies: extra nights, complications, changes to the plan, or a second trip.
When you ask for an estimate, request it in writing and itemised. Ask what is included, what is excluded, whether it is provisional, and what could change it.
Compare estimates for the same procedure and length of stay. A lower headline figure can hide a longer list of exclusions.
Recovery and follow-up after treatment in Kolkata
The stay does not end at discharge. Depending on the procedure, you may need wound care, rehabilitation, further tests or medication changes before you are cleared to travel.
Before you leave the hospital, collect your discharge summary, reports, prescriptions and written follow-up instructions. Ask which symptoms need urgent attention, whom to contact after you return home, and how your records will reach your home-country doctor.
Avoid booking a fixed, non-refundable return flight until your treating team gives an expected timeline. A recovery hotel or retreat is not a substitute for supervised care when you need it.
When Kolkata may not be the right choice
A trustworthy guide should say when to look elsewhere.
- The service may not be offered. Not every hospital offers every treatment. If your case needs a particular team or technology, confirm it before travelling.
- Urgent symptoms. If you need urgent care, get local medical help rather than waiting to arrange international travel.
- You may not be fit to travel. Ask your home doctor first.
- Access for international patients varies. Some institutions, especially charitable or public ones, have their own rules on who they admit and how they bill. Ask early.
- Visa conditions can change. Build in time and flexibility.
- Estimates differ. Hospitals may recommend different tests or approaches. Ask each to explain its reasoning.
- Follow-up is harder across borders. Agree how it will work before you go.
Step-by-step: planning treatment in Kolkata
- Talk to your current doctor about the diagnosis, the options and why you are considering treatment abroad.
- Gather your records, including imaging and pathology.
- Shortlist hospitals whose documented scope matches your condition.
- Request a preliminary opinion and a written, itemised, provisional estimate.
- Compare proposals on treatment plan, expected stay, inclusions and exclusions.
- Arrange the visa through official channels, including attendant visas if needed.
- Plan travel, accommodation and transfers once the medical timeline is clearer.
- Agree discharge and follow-up before you leave the hospital.
Final treatment decisions and costs depend on the treating hospital’s assessment.
How MedicHorizon helps patients in Kolkata
Choosing a city, choosing a hospital and organising the journey are three separate decisions. MedicHorizon helps with the third and supports you through the first two.
MedicHorizon does not prescribe treatment, guarantee outcomes or replace your doctor. The hospital and treating clinicians decide your medical care.
Depending on what you agree with us, we can help with:
- Enquiries and sharing your medical records with hospitals for review
- Requests for written quotations
- Guidance on visa documentation and travel
- Accommodation and local transfers
- Arrangements for family members and for recovery
The hospital bills you directly for medical treatment. MedicHorizon does not collect or handle hospital treatment payments. Our own fees cover the services you agree with us and are itemised separately.
To discuss your requirements, contact MedicHorizon. You can also browse the List of Treatments.
Kolkata treatment FAQs
Is Kolkata a good city for medical treatment?
It has several accredited hospitals and a dedicated cancer centre. Whether it suits you depends on your diagnosis, the treating team and the practicalities of travel and recovery.
Which hospitals should I consider in Kolkata?
Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Fortis Anandapur, RTIICS (Narayana Health), Manipal Hospitals and Tata Medical Center are documented starting points. Verify the department and specialist for your case.
How do I verify a hospital’s accreditation?
Check the certificate for the specific campus, its scope and its validity dates, then confirm with NABH or JCI directly.
How much will treatment in Kolkata cost?
It depends on the diagnosis, hospital, length of stay and complications. Ask for a written itemised estimate, and budget separately for travel and accommodation.
Can I get a medical opinion before travelling?
Many hospitals will review records remotely. The final diagnosis, plan and price may still depend on an in-person assessment.
Can a family member travel with me?
Under India’s e-Visa scheme, two e-Medical Attendant visas can be granted with one e-Medical visa. Other visa routes have their own rules.
How long should I stay after treatment?
There is no standard duration. Your treating team decides when you are fit to travel, so keep return plans flexible.
Can MedicHorizon arrange treatment directly?
We coordinate enquiries, hospital options, quotations and agreed non-medical services. The hospital provides and bills for medical care.
Sources and how this guide was researched
This guide was prepared by the MedicHorizon editorial team using hospital websites, NABH certificates, Indian government pages and news reports published through October 2026. Hospital descriptions are the hospitals’ own statements unless a certificate is cited.
- Tata Medical Center: about the hospital
- NABH certificate: Tata Medical Center
- NABH certificate: RTIICS, Kolkata
- NABH certificate: Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria
- NABH certificate: Manipal Hospitals, Salt Lake
- Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata: about us
- Narayana Health: RTIICS, Kolkata
- Manipal Hospitals acquires AMRI Hospitals
- Government of India e-Visa portal
- Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City: e-Visa advisory
- Rajya Sabha reply on organ transplantation
Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about Kolkata as a medical destination. It is not medical advice, does not recommend a specific treatment and cannot guarantee outcomes. Consult qualified healthcare professionals about your circumstances. Services, credentials, visa rules, routes and prices change, so verify current details with the provider or the relevant authority before you decide.