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Bangladeshi patients seeking to get treatment abroad have a new destination—China—close to their homes. The latter has come forward to fill the vacuum created by India, the next-door neighbour. Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has reduced the issuance of visas, medical or otherwise, to a large extent since the political changeover in August last. Chinese ambassador Yao Wen on Monday last saw off the first batch of Bangladeshi patients, doctors and travel agency representatives at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on its way to Kunming, the capital city of the Chinese province of Yunnan. Though some patients will receive treatment in at least four hospitals, specially selected by the Chinese authorities for doctors and travel agency representatives, it will be more of a familiarization and assessment one. The first-hand experience is going to be very crucial in deciding the next move, by both Bangladeshi patients and Chinese authorities.

India remains the most preferred destination for Bangladesh nationals seeking medical help because of proximity, cost, improved medical facilities and care taken by doctors and medical staff. According to data available from the Tourism Ministry of India, around 2.5 million Bangladeshi medical tourists go to India every year and spend around $500 million. Some Bangladeshi hospitals too have well-qualified doctors and modern diagnostic and other facilities, but unprofessional behaviour of healthcare professionals forces many middle-class patients to seek treatment in India. The affluent people, however, prefer Thailand and Singapore to India for expensive treatment. Despite widespread criticism, many Bangladeshi physicians have hardly given up their unprofessional attitude.

Why do patients in large numbers go to India? Proximity is an issue, no doubt. Barring the expenditure made on travel and accommodation, the money spent on treatment is almost equivalent, or slightly more than Bangladesh. But what is appreciated most by the patients is the attention the Indian doctors and nurses pay to them. This is an area that deserves serious attention from Bangladeshi physicians and other medical staff employed in both private and public health facilities. Then again, Hindi is slightly understood by many Bangladeshi patients and Indian hospitals also engage Bengali-speaking staff to facilitate better communication. Even some hospitals in Thailand and Singapore are also doing the same.

There are some issues involving the use of Chinese health facilities by foreign nationals. Access to Chinese hospitals will not be as easy as it happens with their Indian counterparts where outside patients are free to choose doctors or hospitals and contact them directly via email. Here, Chinese authorities will nominate hospitals where Bangladeshi patients will seek treatment, possibly, via some selected travel agents. Access will not be open and smooth like other destinations, including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Besides, language will be a major barrier unless the Chinese authorities employ interpreters. The Chinese ambassador has expressed his country’s intention to include more Chinese cities and hospitals to offer better healthcare service to Bangladeshi patients. To make that happen, free communication between Bangladeshi patients and Chinese hospitals needs to be ensured. Affordability, in terms of cost, will be another important issue. Kunming hospitals will be a better choice, as far as weather and proximity are concerned. Besides, Yunnan is one of the oldest centres of traditional medicine in the world. Many Bangladeshis, depending on their desire and Chinese authorities’ permission, can even have treatment at hospitals that offer treatment based only on traditional medicine. Hopefully, China will do whatever is necessary to make Chinese hospitals affordable and easily accessible to Bangladeshis.