Medical Tourism to India for Bangladeshi Patients

The health system is not so matured in Bangladesh. The country is identified as one of the countries with serious shortage of healthcare facilities. There is gross imbalance when it comes to distribution of resources. Further, there is quite restricted access to basic and emergency medical care services due to insecurity, distance, poor economic and social conditions, cost and the fact that many healthcare centers do not function adequately. Thus, patients from Bangladesh prefer travelling to other countries to get rescued from their health issues.

Earlier only the affluent population of Bangladesh could manage to get timely treatment in other countries. With India emerging as one of the best and leading medical tourism hubs of the world, not only the affluent people but patients from all sections of society in Bangladesh can now afford the array of treatments and have started flocking to India. Tour2india4health - as the name suggests has always been ahead in fulfilling the needs of such patients and has become the most preferred healthcare related service provider for patients from Bangladesh along with other countries. Some of the major features that place us in a better position are:

• Straight forward - uncomplicated booking procedure
• Low cost - much lower costs as compared to the cost of what it is in UK/USA
• Low risk - world's highest standards of clinical care, safety and surgical methods assured
• Lowest infection rates - Less than 0.5 percent
• Fast and efficient service - immediate treatment arranged with much lower waiting periods
• Full patient support service - 24/7 service
• No doctors' referral essential
• Specialist consultations - scans, clinical investigations and consultations at short notice
• Strive constantly to maintain the highest levels of services
• Seeking excellence in healthcare
• Simple Straight forward approach towards the client/patient
• Reactive and responsive to our clients needs
• To provide a low risk and safe environment at all times
• Maintaining the finest standards of clinical care and surgery

Bangladesh, on the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal, is surrounded by India, with a small common border with Myanmar in the southeast. It is a tropical country, situated mainly on the deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas. The Brahmaputra River, known locally as the Jamuna, unites with part of the Ganges to form the Padma, which, after its juncture with a third large river, the Meghna, merges into the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh came to today's shape through a long history of political evolution. What is now called Bangladesh is part of the historic region of Bengal, the northeast portion of the Indian subcontinent. Bangladesh consists primarily of East Bengal (West Bengal is part of India and its people are primarily Hindu) plus the Sylhet district of the Indian state of Assam. Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country in 1971.

Bangladesh has the plant and animal life typical of a tropical and riverine swamp. The landscape, which for most of the year is abundant green, is dotted with palms and flowering trees. The large forest area of the Sundarbans in the southwest is the home of the endangered Bengal tiger; there are also cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles, elephants, spotted deer, monkeys, boars, bears, pheasants, and wide variety of birds and waterfowl. But overpopulation has severely strained Bangladesh's limited natural resources. Most of the land area is already cultivated and forest land has been greatly reduced by agricultural expansion and by timber and firewood cutting. Jute is the main cash crop of Bangladesh, which produces about one-quarter of the total jute supply of the world. The garment industry, however, has very strong potential for Bangladesh. About 1.8 million jobs - mostly for women—have been created in this industry.

Bengali (Bangla), part of the Indo-European language family, is the official language of Bangladesh and is spoken by about 98 percent of the population. Although today Bangla is the official language, English is also used for official, legal and business purposes. Nearly 88 percent of the people are Sunni Muslims, making Bangladesh one of the world's largest Muslim countries. About 10 percent of the population are Hindu; the remaining are mainly Buddhist or Christian, the latter being mostly Roman Catholics. There are small numbers of Shia Muslims, Sikhs, Baha'is, Ahmadis, and animists.

As an emerging tourism destination Bangladesh offers travellers many interesting diversions including archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, white sandy beaches, and lush forest venues filled with wildlife and waterfalls. Bangladesh offers ample opportunities to tourists for angling, water skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting, sea bathing as well as bringing the tourists close to pristine nature. However, when it comes to medical facilities in Bangladesh, they fail to touch the medical standards available in countries like US and UK. Hospitals in Bangladesh are not fully-equipped and lack good surgeons and staffs.

With medical tourism picking up at a fast pace, a large number of patients are travelling from Bangladesh to India for various medical and surgical treatments. The main factor attracting these medical tourists is saving money on what normally are very costly procedures. Moreover, many treatments and surgeries are not available in Bangladesh that are readily available in India at affordable cost. Majority of the treatments in India cost about as low as one tenth of what they cost in other leading nations like USA or UK. This has led to the rise in Bangladeshi citizens to come to India for their treatment. But despite of all this riches, Bangladesh isn't doing too well in the area of healthcare. The government of Bangladesh has been trying desperately to overcome this health crisis and the deficit of medical resources because these factors are affecting the all round development of the country. People are dying of diseases that are preventable due to limited access to good quality medical care and inadequate distribution of resources across the country. Thus, public healthcare in Bangladesh is generally of low quality due to widespread corruption, rampant poverty and limited resources.

Today India has truly emerged as a very promising option as the ultimate medical tourism destination. Imagine a complex medical procedure being done by the most adept surgeons and at prices as low as one-tenth of what it costs in other leading nations. That's India! India has some of the best qualified professionals in each and every medical sphere, and this fact has now been identified and widely accepted by people around the globe. Right from quality of services, array of procedures and treatment options, availability of top-notch infrastructure and skilled manpower to perform any medical procedure, to zero waiting time - the list of advantages goes on. Some of the factors that are drawing the attention of medical tourists are:

• Expert physicians and specialists with national and international experience
• Usage of cutting edge technology matching global benchmarks
• Highly trained nurses/paramedics and assistant staff
• Low or zero waiting period
• Rejuvenation and recreational programmes for patients
• Huge costs benefits as compared to other countries

As a medical tourism destination, India maintains not only a strong accreditation system, but also a large number of accredited facilities. So if you or your loved ones have been suggested a complex procedure or any other treatment, India would obviously be the best decision. India offers world class medical facilities, at par with any of the western countries, competitive prices for treatments along with patient friendly ambience, making India a very lucrative destination.

All leading and recognized hospitals have invested a lot in technology and operative techniques as newer and newer technologies are being adopted on a regular basis here. Thus, complicated heart surgeries, cancer cure and surgeries, neurosurgeries and even general surgeries are handled by using high-end technology for safe and better outcomes, to minimize complications, enable faster recovery and reduce the length of hospital stay. Thus, all these advantages prove that India is totally equipped and matured when it comes to being a medical tourism destination; so you can stay assured of getting the best in India.

1. Free second opinion - Serious illnesses or any kind of discomfort related to our health bring along a lot of anxiety and doubts in our minds; be it about the diagnosis or about the proficiency of the doctor. To get your minds cleared of this dilemma, we can arrange for a free second opinion through our empanelled hospitals and doctors/surgeons. This certainly boosts and reinforces the trust between us.

2. Clinical camps - In order to create awareness about various health issues as well as to provide free and easily accessible services, clinical camps are organized. There are doctors and paramedics in these camps, who can guide you in detail about various illnesses and also about the right course of treatment, lifestyle and dietary changes that you need to take.

3. Special packages - Another significant factor that worries patients while choosing a treatment destination is whether they will be able to bear the cost of the treatments. We are here to ensure that patients are happy and supremely satisfied with the pricing of the treatments and procedures, they are looking for. We offer tailor-made packages keeping in mind that patients are coming from all economic sections of the society.

4. Language Assistance - There should be no communication gap between the doctor and the patients. Therefore, it is very crucial issue as health issues need to be communicated accurately and in a very detailed manner. So it is very important that the medical staff is capable of comprehending what the patient is trying to communicate. In case there are any interruptions, we look after this issue by arranging expert translators/interpreters so that your requirement reaches the doctor properly and vice versa.

5. Follow up services - Timely follow up is extremely vital for speedy recovery. Without proper follow up, the procedure is considered incomplete. This phase is vital both for the patient as well as the doctor/surgeon otherwise it's a failure on both sides. We ensure that there are no interruptions in the follow up phase, by arranging for follow up services even after the patient is back in his own country.

6. Quick visa assistance - We have 24/7 visa assistance staff to take care of all your queries and needs related to visa. We understand that every health issue has its own amount of urgency. So, we do our best to keep the process simple and hassle free for you so that there is no time wastage and you receive the required treatment on time.

7. Special food - Every treatment and procedure comes along with its own dietary restrictions. We make sure that the food served to you meets these restrictions so that you enjoy a speedy recovery. Customized diet plans are proffered keeping in individual requirements for safe and better outcomes.

Choosing the perfect hospital for any treatment is big leap of faith and trust for any person. For better understanding between patients and healthcare personnel, the warmth and hospitality of Indian hospitals play a major role in choosing India as a healthcare destination. Our network of hospitals is spread across 15 cities of India with 24/7 support and logistics services at hand in all the cities. Based on the medical reports of the patients, our health experts recommend them to the most appropriate facility for their medical management. The recommendation also takes into consideration the financial aspect of the patient's family, air connectivity from the patient's home town, the destination of the medical treatment and the duration that a patient would be required to stay in India. We understand these factors vary from patient to patient and we make sure that each patient's requirements are met, so that the patient and his/her family can take a quick decision.

Apart from the Corporate Hospitals, our network also envelops the Multi-specialty Nursing Homes, branded clinics, Trust Hospitals and economy hospitals, where treatments are much more affordable. This makes it quite viable for the patients coming from all socio-economic sections to get quality healthcare. Following are some of the Corporate Hospitals, Clinics and other hospitals associated with Tour2india4health Consultants, where our Afghan friends can get the best possible medical treatment.

Tour2india4health Consultants has always been enthusiastically instrumental in introducing latest techniques that are being adopted by the Indian healthcare system. By doing this we ensure that our international friends get nothing but the best for their health. As India's healthcare system is getting updated each year with newer and innovative technologies, we too modernize ourselves so that we can provide you nothing but the best. Some of the milestones we have achieved, which are worth mentioning are:

• High Frequency Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer
• Single Hole Surgery for Weight Loss
• Percutaneous Laser Spine Surgery
• High Flex Knee Replacement Surgery
• Gamma Knife for Brain Tumors
• Cyberknife for Complex Cancers

Not only access to quality healthcare facilities is important, but also the quality and expertise of medical personnel. As India is increasingly becoming the most sought after medical tourism destination, the doctors and surgeons in India are working stringently to hone their skills and adopt new technologies. Renowned mostly for its cost-effective treatments methodologies and surgical procedures, along with best standards in cardiology, orthopaedics, nephrology, oncology and neurosurgery, India has some of the best skilled healthcare professionals. The fact that India homes some of the most adept and qualified healthcare professionals in each and every sphere of medical science, has been recognized and well-appreciated by the world.

Tour2india4health Consultants makes sure that you are attended by the best doctors/surgeons India has. Our network has more than 5000 surgeons and physicians from every arena of healthcare, empanelled with us. We have taken the responsibility of lessening the backlog that exists in the healthcare systems of many countries in Africa. We have doing our best to bridge the gap that exists between the suffering patients and the required treatments. We are here to help you access world-class tertiary healthcare services existing in India. Given below are the links through which you can view the profiles of the some of our top surgeons and physicians -

• Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Cardiothoracic Surgeons
• Cosmetic Surgeons
• Detists
• Opthalmologist
• IVF Experts
• Oncologist
• Cardiologist
• Urologist
• Neurologist
• Pediatric Surgeons
• Laparoscopy Surgeons
• General Surgeons
• Bariatric Surgeons

Process flow of coming to India for surgery and medical treatment

The process of coming to India for successful and economically priced medical treatment is not at all that complicated. The process begins with the patient sending his/her query and medical history through email or by discussing the medical condition over a phone call with a healthcare manager. The reports and the case are then meticulously studied by our senior surgeons/physicians for a detailed medical opinion, which is then conveyed to the patient so that the patient can understand and plan the next steps accordingly. As a mandatory protocol, all reports are studied and reviewed by not less than three experts for unbiased comprehensive medical opinions. After this, the patient can come to India on pre-decided dates. Additionally, we assist our patients from Bangladesh in getting medical visa approval plus we also arrange all logistic and travel related requirements. More details can be read at the Step-by-Step Guide for better understanding of the process.

• Fill in the recommended application form, should be signed by the passport holder and nobody else. The signature of the passport holder must tally with that in the passport or else the holder must sign in the presence of the Visa Officer.
• Enclose a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, which becomes valid only 10 days after the inoculation.
• Enclose confirmed air tickets to India and onward or return, as applicable.
• Enclose two recent passport size (37 mm x 37 mm) photographs. One photo must be affixed on the Visa application form on the space provided and the other must be attached to the application Form.
• Enclose a valid Bangladesh Re-Entry Permit or permit for onward destination on the passport.
• Enclose a national passport of sufficient validity with one full blank page for endorsement of Visa.
• Enclose a copy of Bangladesh Dependent/Alien's Pass for all Non-Bangladesh normally domiciled in Bangladesh.
• Copy of Dependent/Aliens Pass, as evidence of residence in Bangladesh (applicable to resident Non-Bangladesh foreign nationals only)

The applicant has to be personally present in Bangladesh while applying for visa.

A medical category visa may be issued under the following conditions:

1. The Indian Missions/Posts abroad may scrutinize the medical documents very carefully and satisfy themselves about the bonafide purpose for which medical visa is being requested.
2. Mission may also check that the applicant has sought preliminary medical advice from his country of origin/country of residence and he has been advised to opt for specialized medical treatment. In case the foreign national desires to go for treatment under the Indian system of Medicines, his case may also be considered.
3. This type of visa should be granted for seeking medical attendance only in recognized and specialized hospitals/treatment centers in the country. Although non-exhaustive, the following ailments would be taken into primary consideration; serious ailments like neurological disorders; ophthalmic disorders; heart related problems; renal disorders; organ transplantations; plastic surgery; joint replacement etc. The basic idea would be that the mission may check the urgency factor related to the need of the medical tourist.

The initial period for such a visa may be up to a period of one year or the period of treatment whichever less, which can be extended for a further period of one year, by the State Government/FRROs (Foreigners Regional Registration Offices), on the production of medical certificate/advice from the reputed/recognized/specialized hospitals in the country. Any further extension will be granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs only on the recommendations of the State Government/FRROs supported by appropriate medical documents. Such visa will be valid for maximum three entries in a year but state government/FRROs may allow one additional entry in case of emergency.

Today, India is a global health tourism destination, with medical tourism growing by 30 percent each year. India's healthcare sector has achieved an enormous boom over the years. While in India, you can surely explore your treatment options with us to get rid of your health issues. As you come to India for medical treatment, we make certain that you get an immediate appointment from the concerned doctors/surgeons, with the help of our assistant staff, who are there to provide you 24/7 hours of medical assistance, look after your accommodation, airport pick up, inland conveyance facility for moving to and fro between the hospital and, medical lodging at the hospital premises, access to internationally trained doctors/surgeons, JCI recognized medical staff, hygienic food and recreation facilities like holiday tours at renowned Indian resorts. So, patients from Bangladesh suffering from serious health disorders, looking for urgent and affordable medical care in India are requested to send their medical case details by filling out enquiry form.