Every year, thousands of Bangladeshi citizens travel to India seeking medical treatment, spending billions of taka in the process.
This trend has intensified in recent years, and the ongoing visa issues have exacerbated the situation, causing frustration and chaos among patients and their families.
According to available data from the Indian Ministry of Tourism and Bangladesh's Ministry of Health, approximately 2-2.5 lakh Bangladeshi citizens travel to India annually for medical purposes.
The expenditures incurred by Bangladeshi patients in India are estimated to be around $2 billion per year, said the Indian Ministry of Tourism in 2022.
However, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, citing data from the Policy Research Institute Workshop, 2024, said that Bangladeshi citizens collectively spend over $5 billion annually on medical treatment abroad, primarily in India and Thailand.
He highlighted that this expenditure, often conducted unofficially, creates significant pressure on the country's balance of payments.
Dr Ahsan H Mansur argued that this spending could be reduced to $1 billion if the local hospital system were adequately developed.
Patients primarily travel for treatments related to cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, and organ transplants.
The high trust in Indian healthcare facilities and perceived inadequacies in Bangladesh's healthcare services drive this pattern.
Many affluent and influential Bangladeshis, including policymakers, prefer seeking treatment in countries like Singapore, Thailand, the USA, and European nations.
These individuals often opt for advanced medical facilities abroad due to a lack of trust in local healthcare services, concerns about medical negligence, and inadequate specialised treatment facilities in Bangladesh.
According to available estimates, a significant portion of the $5 billion spent annually on foreign treatment is attributed to this demographic.
Critics argue that if influential individuals, especially policymakers, were required to seek treatment within the country, they would be more motivated to improve the local healthcare infrastructure and ensure transparency and accountability in service delivery.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, the founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, once remarked, "The absence of accountability among healthcare policymakers is one of the root causes of our healthcare crisis. If those in power were compelled to rely on domestic healthcare services, they would have no choice but to ensure quality care for all."
Similarly, Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, former Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR), stated, "We must invest in specialised medical education, infrastructure, and equipment to reduce our dependency on foreign healthcare systems. It's not an overnight solution, but a consistent policy approach can bring results."
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur also stressed, "Unless we address these issues, FDI in the sector will not arrive. We can try to bring in international hospitals, but they will not come unless they are assured that they can bring in their experts when needed."
The outflow of billions of taka annually puts pressure on the national economy.
Families often face financial distress due to high medical costs, travel, and accommodation expenses. Dependence on foreign healthcare systems undermines confidence in local medical facilities.
The preference of policymakers and affluent individuals for foreign treatment creates a disconnect between healthcare decision-makers and the reality faced by ordinary citizens.
Investments must be made in upgrading hospitals with modern technology, equipment, and better facilities.
Specialised training programmes and incentives for retaining highly skilled doctors are essential.
A robust healthcare regulatory framework is needed to ensure quality control in hospitals and prevent malpractices.
Encouraging collaborations between the government and private healthcare providers can bridge resource and infrastructure gaps.
Ensuring that advanced treatments remain affordable for citizens can reduce the economic burden of medical tourism.
Strengthening health insurance coverage can make domestic healthcare more accessible and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Establishing an independent healthcare quality assurance authority, transparent pricing and service guidelines in both public and private hospitals, and a crackdown on fraudulent medical agents misguiding patients are critical steps.
Digital healthcare systems for better transparency and efficiency must also be prioritised.
Policy measures to ensure that government officials and policymakers seek treatment locally unless absolutely unavoidable can further create accountability and trust in the domestic healthcare system.
Bangladesh's healthcare system requires a comprehensive overhaul with a focus on trust-building, infrastructure improvement, and effective governance.
While medical tourism may continue in the short term, long-term solutions lie in developing a robust domestic healthcare system.
Strategic investment, policy reforms, and regulatory oversight are crucial for addressing these persistent challenges and reducing dependency on foreign healthcare services.
By addressing these systemic issues, Bangladesh can retain its patients and ensure quality healthcare for all its citizens within its borders.
If influential stakeholders, including policymakers, are made stakeholders in the local healthcare system through policy interventions, the pace of progress could significantly accelerate.
