India's medical tourism gets booster shot from Bangladesh visitors

India saw a dramatic increase in medical tourists from Bangladesh in 2023, with numbers soaring 48 per cent to 449,570 from 304,067 in 2022.

- DEEPAK PATEL & SOHINI DAS

This sharp rise contrasts with the comparatively low influx from other neighbouring countries like the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Myanmar.

Government data reviewed by Business Standard reveals that in 202324 India granted only 1,432 medical visas to Sri Lankans, an 11.7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline. Myanmar citizens received 3,019 medical visas, a modest 4 per cent increase from the previous year. The figures for Pakistan remained notably low, with only 76 medical visas granted in 2023-24, compared to 106 the previous year.

Anas Abdul Wajid, senior director and chief sales and marketing officer at Max Healthcare, told Business Standard: "We are not getting patients from Pakistan and Afghanistan because of political and security issues. The Government of India does not issue visas to patients from these countries. We have seen a considerable increase in patients from Nepal. Patients from Myanmar have also been growing steadily; however, following an investigation by the Financial Times regarding illegal kidney transplants, the embassy and authorities have become more cautious and diligent in issuing medical visas." Regarding Bangladesh, Wajid noted substantial patient growth.

"Patients travel to Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi. Indian hospitals have always enjoyed an excellent reputation in Bangladesh. Patients usually come for transplants, Source: Govt data cardiac sciences, neuro, ortho, and oncology-related treatments. Max Healthcare has representatives based in Dhaka who assist patients in their journey to our hospitals," he added.