NN Online:
The number of foreign patients seeking medical treatment in India has dropped by nearly half. This decline is a result of reduced visa issuance for Bangladeshi patients, creating a significant crisis in India’s healthcare sector.
This information was revealed in a report by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera on Saturday.
The report said nearly 2 million foreign patients are regular visitors to various hospitals in India, with 60 per cent of them being Bangladeshi. However, since August of last year, the number of Bangladeshi patients has dropped by nearly 80 per cent. The reduction in visa issuance has led to a near 50 per cent decrease in the overall number of foreign patients.
Moreover, foreign patients traveling to India for medical treatment not only benefit the hospitals but also significantly contribute to the country’s economy. In 2023, India’s medical tourism sector generated $9 billion (approximately INR 77,189 crore). Bangladeshi patients played a major role in this revenue, but with their numbers now reduced, both India’s economy and healthcare sector are facing adverse effects.
Citing an official from the Indian Visa Center in Bangladesh, the report said before the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, about 7,000 online visa slots were allocated daily across five Indian visa centers in Bangladesh. However, since August 5, this number has dropped to just 500.
As a result, the number of Bangladeshi patients traveling to India for medical treatment has declined, with hospitals in Kolkata being the most affected. At Kolkata’s multi-specialty hospital, Peerless, the daily intake of Bangladeshi patients used to be 150, but it has now dropped to fewer than 30.
Major hospitals in India are also being affected by the visa restrictions. Alexander Thomas from the Healthcare Federation of India said hospitals like Narayana Health in Bengaluru, Apollo Hospital in Chennai, and Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore are among those facing challenges. The reduction in the number of Bangladeshi patients has had a significant impact on healthcare services at these institutions, the report added.
Experts warn that if the visa crisis continues, India’s healthcare sector could face an even greater crisis. With the decline in the number of Bangladeshi patients, there could also be a reduction in investments in the medical sector, presenting a significant challenge for both India’s economy and healthcare industry.
It is believed that the situation, with fewer Bangladeshi patients in Indian hospitals, is unlikely to change soon, which could lead to significant instability in the country’s medical sector.
