Indian hospitals cast wider net to cope with unexpected casualty of Bangladesh crisis: Medical tourism

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Large Indian hospital chains are diversifying their international patient-base to drive up revenue and reduce dependence on a single region, amid an ongoing dip in patients from Bangladesh, industry executives told Mint. Bangladeshi patients make up the largest chunk of international visitors checking into Indian hospitals for procedures, but numbers dipped sharply last year after political crisis gripped the neighbouring country.

While hospitals like Apollo and Manipal–which were among the most impacted – are expecting a gradual uptick, the focus is now on bringing in more patients from other regions as well. “Bangladesh has historically been one of the largest contributors to Manipal’s international patient base, accounting for approximately 120 patients per day across our hospitals," Vikas Tayer, head of international healthcare services at Manipal Hospitals, told Mint. Bangladesh contributes about 25-30% of their international patients in India, especially in the Kolkata region, he said.

The unrest that followed the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ensuing visa restrictions have resulted in a significant drop in patients from Bangladesh since July 2024. A report by CareEdge ratings from August 2024 noted that patients from Bangladesh make up about 50-60% of India’s overall international patients, and estimated a 10-15% decline in their numbers during the year. Also read | India's specialty medical courses lack uniform standards. Regulator plans to fix it Analysts and industry executives Mint spoke to pointed out that while there has been a slight uptick in patients, the numbers are nowhere close to what they were.