Private hospitals fear Bangla patient flow ebb, help with lodging
Times of India | 1 September 2026
Kolkata: Worried about an ebb in patient flow from Bangladesh, private hospitals in Kolkata have started seeking trip details from those travelling from the neighbouring country for treatment over the next two weeks to help them find accommodation.
Help desks have been activated even as patients are being apprised of the accommodation shortage following the shutting down of multiple lodges in central Kolkata that has forced a move to hotels in south Kolkata and the eastern fringe of the city. With most hotels and guest houses near hospitals along EM Bypass experiencing a rush and rooms being booked for the next two weeks, hospitals are advising patients to inform them about their schedule in case they need assistance with accommodation.
Minu Mitra (43) from Bangladesh, who is currently in Kolkata for treatment and follow-up at the pulmonology department at BP Poddar Hospital, is staying in the Park Circus area. She is expected to remain in Kolkata for another 12 days. Hafija Bezum (41) visited the hospital for a follow-up consultation with a CTVS surgeon for a cardiac surgery around two weeks ago. She has chosen to stay near the hospital in New Alipore as the hotel she would usually check into in central Kolkata was shut. Hafija will be in Kolkata for another 10-12 days.
Bangladesh patients have been calling friends and relatives in Kolkata, asking if they can stay with them during their treatment. Several of them are seeking outdoor treatment at hospitals like Ruby General and Peerless.“They couldn’t find suitable accommodation and chose to stay with their acquaintances. We are helping patients find accommodation but many are now preferring to stay safe and avoid a hotel stay, fearing it might shut down, leaving them in the lurch,” said Subhashis Datta, chief general manager-operations at Ruby.
Last week, a patient from Mymensingh in Bangladesh visited Ruby for treatment and was helped to check into a nearby hotel. “Since we knew his schedule, our help desk booked him a room in advance. With Bangladesh patients now moving to the Mukundapur area for accommodation, hotels here are fast filling up. Accommodation is more expensive in east Kolkata than the central district. So, many could find it difficult to fund their medical trips now, though we are yet to see any cancellation,” said Datta.
Some hotels in Mukundapur are also facing closure and homestays are serving as alternatives but many of them don’t have the clearance to host foreign guests. Others are asking for medical documents and visa. “Some of our patients are yet to receive medical documents as they are yet to start treatment. They may not be allowed at these homestays. So, they are looking to stay with their relatives in and around Kolkata or may have to defer their visit,” said a representative of a private hospital.
Most patients from Bangladesh usually prefer to stay in hotels close to the hospital. As most of them are now unavailable, many are ruling out hotels. “We have received a few enquiries from patients concerned about accommodation. Our hospitality team is liaising with nearby hotels to facilitate room availability and ensure a smooth and hassle-free stay for patients and their families ,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group adviser, BP Poddar Hospital.
RN Tagore Hospital (RTIICS) has “not yet seen any significant impact on patient admissions or footfall, and the overall patient flow remains consistent with normal trends”. “We understand that accommodation demand in the Mukundapur area may be under pressure but our patient help desk teams are available round the clock to assist them. . Our priority is to ensure a smooth experience for every patient seeking care at our hospitals,” said R Venkatesh, group COO, Narayana Hospitals.