Health Sector Booming: Visa hurdles in India push patients to local hospitals
Reza Mahmud :
Following India’s visa restrictions on Bangladeshi nationals after the August 5 policy shift, a growing number of Bangladeshi patients are now seeking medical treatment domestically, leading to a notable shift in the country’s healthcare dynamics.
This trend is seen as a significant opportunity for the Bangladeshi healthcare sector-both public and private-to expand and improve, as a large pool of patients who would previously travel abroad for treatment are now opting for local facilities.
The country’s healthcare system has become more vibrant in recent years, bolstered by better healthcare management and increased capacity to accommodate patients.
Private hospitals, in particular, have responded proactively, investing in new facilities and technical upgrades to attract and serve patients who might otherwise have gone abroad.
Public hospitals, offering free treatment to all, have also seen a rise in demand. While previously only affluent individuals could afford treatment overseas, the recent visa restrictions have made international travel more difficult, prompting patients across economic backgrounds to rely on local services.
Public health experts believe this shift offers long-term potential to strengthen Bangladesh’s health sector and reduce outbound medical tourism.
Professor Dr M. Muzaherul Huq, former Adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO), told The New Nation that medical services in Bangladesh are generally on par with those in India in terms of quality. However, he noted a key difference in patient satisfaction.
“Patients often feel more satisfied with the kind and attentive behaviour of Indian doctors. In Bangladesh, the high patient load limits consultation time and diminishes the patient experience,” he said.
To manage the increasing pressure on public hospitals, the government is reportedly considering the introduction of a referral system-from upazila-level hospitals to national institutions and vice versa-to optimise resource use and reduce overcrowding.
Health experts have also emphasised the urgent need to expand both outpatient and inpatient capacities, including hiring more doctors, nurses, and health workers to improve service delivery.
Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former Director at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), noted that India’s visa policy presents a major opportunity for Bangladesh to save foreign currency. “Outbound patients have significantly reduced their visits to India. Most are now relying on domestic public and private healthcare services,” he said.
He added that the government should view this development as a long-term opportunity and act swiftly to strengthen local medical facilities to retain patients.
Bangladesh is home to a growing number of highly skilled physicians and modernised healthcare infrastructure. Experts have suggested creating a national database of outbound patients to better understand their preferences and reasons for seeking treatment abroad.
By addressing these concerns-such as doctor-patient communication, consultation time, and service quality-the government could persuade patients to remain in the country for treatment.
According to industry sources, Bangladeshis spend an estimated Tk 60,000 crore (approximately USD 5 billion) annually on overseas medical treatment-an amount that exceeds the country’s entire health budget. These costs vary depending on the nature of the treatment, the destination country, and the duration of stay.