Kolkata: Several hospitals in Kolkata are extending support in the form of discounts and accommodation to Bangladeshi patients who need to stay here for several weeks for treatment but are running out of cash. Since many had banked on family members bringing in money during the course of their treatment, they fear that won’t be possible now due to travel disruptions.All Indian visa application centres in Bangladesh were shut down on Thursday.
Manipal Hospitals have nine Bangladeshi patients across three units. “Even though they haven’t faced any visa or money issue yet, we are ready to help them extend their visas in case they have to stay longer. We will find them accommodation at guest houses if required,” said a Manipal representative.
Two Bangladeshi patients were discharged from BP Poddar Hospital on Friday and around 32 visited for follow-up appointments or OPD consultations in the last few days. “A challenge many patients now face is the burden of extra accommodation cost. Many are struggling to arrange funds. We are offering accommodation with meals at nominal cost. In special cases, even that charge has been completely waived,” said BP Poddar group advisor Supriyo Chakrabarty.
He added the hospital is ready to provide more discount on both IPD and OPD charges and allow patients to defer payments. “We are prioritizing those who have visited for OPD consultation and have been advised to undergo diagnostic procedures,” said Chakrabarty.
Techno DAMA Hospital is “in touch with the authorities for healthcare backup” for affected individuals in the border areas. “If needed, a team of experts will visit and provide treatment at the volatile zones. We had a patient from Bangladesh who needed chemotherapy and she had some issues with the visa. We completed her chemo cycles and appealed to the relevant authorities to extend her visa period on humanitarian grounds,” said M S Purkait, medical superintendent of Techno India DAMA.
The hospital has received just two Bangladeshi patients since fresh turmoil started in Bangladesh last Monday. Both had visited for OPD consultation. Other private hospitals, like Ruby General, RN Tagore and Peerless, wh-ich usually get several hundred Bangladeshi patients every month, got just a few in a week. Ruby Hospital has thr-ee day-care patients undergoing chemotherapy and has offered them assistance. “They have enough funds now but may need assistance later,” said general manager — operations Subhashis Datta.
Peerless Hospital has four patients admitted and has assured each of help in case they need to extend their stay. “They are on course to complete treatment and leave in a few days. But since the situation remains volatile and travelling risks prevail, we will provide help on a case-to-case basis. This includes charge waiver, assistance to secure funds and accommodation,” said CEO Sudipta Mitra.