As violence spirals, hosps start e-services for Bangla patients
Times of India | 24 December 2025
Kolkata: The Bangladesh unrest has prompted hospitals in the city to ramp up video consultation services to help patients across the border who are unable to travel to Kolkata. The number of patients from Bangladesh has started witnessing a downward trend after the recent streak of violence in the neighbouring country. Now, suspension of visa services is poised to halt inflow of Bangladeshi patients to Kolkata.
"At Manipal Hospitals, we have a seamless facility for video consultation, and we are conducting them for the patients from Bangladesh. Patients in need of follow-up can avail themselves of the video consultation facility and contact our team of doctors," said Ayanabh Debgupta, RCOO of Manipal Hospitals (East).
"We have been conducting video consultations for patients since Covid and stepped up the same practice for Bangladeshi patients since last Aug, following political changes there. Our international helpdesk regularly coordinates video consultations with our doctors so that international patients can keep up with necessary follow-up," said Sajal Dutta, chairman & MD, Desun Hospital.
"We plan to open video consultation services for patients who went back to their country after major treatment, like surgery or critical illness. We anticipate they will not be able to travel back for follow-up services," said Sudipta Mitra, CEO of Peerless Hospital.
Hospitals fear the inflow of patients from Bangladesh will come to a grinding halt after about a week. Doctors said that while video consultation services would be difficult for new patients, as many would require investigative tests for proper diagnosis, and for patients who need surgical procedures, the telemedicine services are aimed at easing the worries of patients who need basic follow-up.
"We will be providing video consultations to patients who need follow-up if they are unable to come back. The OPD footfall from Bangladesh started picking up last month. Now it has started going down again," said Subhasish Datta, chief general manager, operations, Ruby General Hospital.
At RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, the number of patients from Bangladesh coming for OPD consultations surged to a monthly average of 2,200 in the past three months.
"Now, the number will again start dipping. For patients who are unable to come for follow-up consultations, we will arrange video consultations to ensure smooth and seamless services," said R Venkatesh, COO of Narayana Health East & South region.