Kolkata’s hospitals are suffering due to lack of Bangladeshi patients

Last Updated on October 30, 2024 5:57 am

Kolkata’s markets, shopping malls, and hospitals are largely dependent on Bangladeshi tourists. The decline in Bangladeshi tourists has had a negative impact on the economy of private hospitals in Mukundapur, Kolkata, like New Market.

Earlier, Bangladeshis used to seek help from doctors here even with tourist visas. However, Bangladeshi patients are currently not getting visas without major physical complications.

Manipal Hospital, the largest private hospital in Mukundapur, adjacent to Kolkata’s bypass road. There are at least eight private hospitals in this area. There is also local business and commerce dependent on the hospital. There is no shortage of residential hotels either.

Some top officials of the hospitals said that although the situation has improved somewhat since August-September, business is not as good as before. Overall income has decreased by 25 to 30 percent due to the decline in Bangladeshi patients.

In addition to improved services, experienced doctors, and easy availability of medicines, the area has become a place of trust for domestic and foreign tourists in the last few years. As the number of patients increases, the hospitals have also increased various facilities.

However, the ongoing strained India-Bangladesh relations have taken a toll on the economy here. A large number of Bangladeshi patients used to come to these hospitals on tourist visas. But now only those who get medical visas are getting the opportunity to get medical services. This has reduced the number of patients.

Kolkata specialist Dr. Arindam Biswas said, many more letters have to be written due to the stricter visa requirements, which was not necessary before. The health visa requirements have now become much stricter. Hopefully, when the situation normalizes in a few months, we will return to the previous position.