Indian visas have remained suspended for the past four months, causing considerable inconvenience for Bangladeshi citizens seeking medical treatment abroad.
Although medical visas are reportedly available, in practice, applications are restricted to follow-ups for existing patients. In this scenario, many are contemplating seeking treatment in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand.
However, the pressing question remains—are Thai medical services financially viable for the average Bangladeshi?
Imrul, a Dhaka resident, recently underwent treatment in Thailand.
He described the experience, highlighting both the superior quality of care and the significantly higher costs.
“It’s incomparable to Bangladesh or even India. The concept of 'low-cost treatment' simply doesn’t exist here,” he remarked.
Providing examples, Imrul noted that while a biopsy in Bangladesh costs between Tk36,000 and Tk40,000, the same procedure in Thailand is priced at Tk2.7 lakh.
Similarly, a CT scan or MRI of the whole abdomen, which costs around Tk35,000–40,000 in Bangladesh, comes to about Tk1.5 lakh in Thailand.
Additionally, basic preliminary checks like measuring blood pressure, weight, and height before consultations incur charges ranging from Tk800 to Tk1,500 in Bangkok hospitals.
Thailand's advanced medical infrastructure and exceptional hospitality attract patients from across the globe, predominantly from Middle Eastern Arab nations, followed by Cambodia, Vietnam, China, India, and Bangladesh.
A notable number of Western patients also frequent Bangkok's hospitals.
Among the Thai medical establishments popular with Bangladeshis, Bumrungrad International Hospital and Bangkok Hospital stand out.
Bumrungrad gained significant traction in Dhaka and Chittagong in the early 1990s, but its five-star services come at steep prices.
For instance, simple blood tests for haemoglobin and creatinine cost Tk35,000 to Tk50,000.
The hospital offers top-tier care, aided by Bangladeshi interpreters to assist patients.
Recently, a Bangladeshi cancer patient was flown to Bumrungrad by air ambulance.
Relatives reported that a deposit of Tk1 crore was required upon admission, with another Tk1 crore demanded three days later, as the patient was in the final stage of the illness.
The largest hospital network in Thailand, BDMS, includes Bangkok Hospital as its flagship. Other prominent groups include Princ Hospital Group and Theptarin Group.
Although these hospitals may be less expensive than Bumrungrad or MedPark, their costs are still far higher than comparable facilities in Bangladesh or India.
For example, a basic health check-up in these hospitals starts at Tk30,000.
There is also a common misconception in Bangladesh regarding Bangkok’s St Louis Hospital being a charity facility. In reality, there are no charity hospitals in Bangkok.
St Louis operates as a fully private hospital with costs comparable to Paolo, Vimut, and Piyavate hospitals.
Unlike more renowned hospitals, it does not offer international services such as interpreters, and prior appointments are unavailable.
Thai government hospitals are of exceptionally high standards, but seeking treatment there requires ample time.
Outpatient appointments often involve a waiting period of 7 to 15 days after scheduling in person, as emergency services are reserved strictly for urgent cases.
Moreover, the cost of surgeries and treatments in government facilities often exceeds those in Bangladeshi private hospitals.
Patients must also consider the additional expenses of prolonged stays and meals.
In this increasingly complex landscape of medical tourism, Thailand offers world-class healthcare, albeit at a price that remains out of reach for many Bangladeshi patients.
