Medical tourism
These facilities are expected to become operational very soon,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group adviser, BP Poddar Hospital. Some have already sought our help while others have booked their rooms,” said Woodlands CEO Rupak Barua, also president of the Association of Hospitals of Eastern India (AHEI). I do not expect it to significantly affect genuine medical travel to Kolkata,” said Desun chairman & MD Sajal Dutta While it may lead to some short-term caution. Safety comes first, and we remain committed to supporting our patients at every stage of their healthcare journey,” said Dutta.
“To make their treatment journey smoother and hassle-free, we are facilitating accommodation options in the vicinity of the hospital. Since safety and security of our patients are of paramount importance, we are also in the process of setting up dedicated accommodation facilities adjacent to our hospital, supported by structured security arrangements. Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital, too, is planning to send a team to Bangladesh. It has also tied up with multiple guest houses and hotels in the Alipore area for Bangladeshi patients. “We plan to sensitise them about the importance of checking into a safe hotel. We are sending a list of guest houses and hotels in the Alipore area to patients scheduled to visit us over the next two weeks. This is to facilitate their booking before they travel, as advised by the Bangladesh High Commission. Desun Hospital’s international cell has started arranging ‘proper accommodation’ for its patients from abroad. “The Bangladesh advisory is primarily aimed at encouraging patients and travellers to plan their accommodation in advance and choose safe, operational hotels close to their destination. “Our focus remains on ensuring that every patient has a safe, convenient and seamless experience from arrival through treatment and recovery.
Thankfully, adequate accommodation is available in the area,” said Ruby chief general manager, operations, Subhashis Datta. “We have already started the communication and have drawn up a list of accommodation near the hospital. These are safe places and we are helping patients book their rooms before they travel. Bangladesh patients travelling to India for treatment need a medical visa in case they have to get admitted. However, OPD patients don’t need it. In case of emergency admissions, medical visas are granted at a short notice. “But those under OPD treatment often have a protracted period of treatment during which they need to stay in a hotel. Many combine travel with treatment,” added Barua.
Ruby General Hospital, which had earlier sent teams to interact with Bangladeshi patients, is setting up a dedicated desk to communicate with patients planning to visit the hospital.
Kolkata: After a sharp dip in medical tourism, spooked hospitals have decided to send teams to Bangladesh over the next few weeks to meet patients and their families and guide them on booking hotels, ensuring that they check into facilities that have all necessary safety clearances. Many of them are also tying up with hotels and lodges in their vicinity to ease accommodation pain for patients from across the border. City hospital authorities feel heeding the advisory would be difficult for a large section of Bangladeshis, many of whom travel by road for treatment and look for an inexpensive stay in and around Kolkata, often landing in dubious accommodation. the hospital is also setting up its own accommodation facilities for Bangladeshis near the facility in south Kolkata While a team of officials from BP Poddar Hospital will travel to Bangladesh next week.