Ebb tide in Bangla patient flow, hosps look at other countries
Times of India | 7 March 2025
12345 Kolkata: Travel restrictions triggered by tension at the India-Bangladesh border and a consequent drop in patients from the country travelling to Kolkata for treatment have forced several facilities to look at other countries to fill the void. While some are making an effort to reach out to patients from across the borders in Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, others are seeking patients from Malaysia, Cambodia, and even faraway European countries and the USA. Some even received a few over the last month.
At least four foreign citizens, including two from the US and one each from France and Thailand, received treatment at Charnock Hospital since Jan. Susan Ann Hill, a US citizen, was admitted to Charnock with acute gastroenteritis, lower respiratory tract infection, and COPD last month. "I was very impressed by the way I was received and treated at the hospital," she said in a video sent to the hospital after her return last week.
Another US citizen, a 65-year-old woman travelling through Kolkata, was wheeled into the emergency of Charnock Hospital with hypertension. "The staff and my doctor made extra efforts to communicate clearly with me and help me cross the language barrier. I would recommend this hospital to my fellow citizens looking for treatment at a reasonable cost," said the woman, who was treated by Charnock Hospital interventional cardiologist Tapobrata De and his team. A patient from Thailand and one from Indonesia were treated at Charnock last month. Both recovered and returned to their respective countries.
A senior official from Desun Hospital said they are actively exploring opportunities to expand thier reach beyond Bangladesh by connecting with neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Myanmar. "We have already initiated discussions with both govts, and the official documentation for govt-level tie-ups is currently in process. We are also in the advanced stages of starting our transplantation services. Once operational, we plan to engage with patients from Nepal, as many Nepalese patients seek kidney transplants in India," said the official.
Manipal Hospital has been receiving patients from Bhutan and Nepal and plans ‘to continue to build on these strong relationships', according to Ayanabh Debgupta, regional COO of Manipal Hospitals East. "Bangladesh records 70% of India's medical travellers. Direct flights enhancing connectivity to Myanmar and Cambodia might be helpful for patients looking for treatment from our hospitals. But our current focus remains on deepening our engagement with Bhutan and Nepal, where we have established trust over the years," he added.
There is scope to increase flow of patients from Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Cambodia if they have more connecting flights with Kolkata, said Association of Hospitals of Eastern India (AHEI) president Rupak Barua. "We will get more patients from these countries, though it may not be enough to fill the Bangladesh void," added Barua, also the Woodlands Hospital CEO.
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