KOLKATA: The resumption of flights from Bangladesh on Sunday may see a spurt in patients from the neighbouring country, who often combine tourism with treatment and account for around 8%-10% of the footfalls in private hospitals across the city.
The hospitals are getting ready to welcome them back even as a third Covid wave looms. The return of patients from Bangladesh — even though it could be a slow and gradual one since roads remain shut — will also boost tourism and business in Kolkata, felt those associated with the travel trade.
Till the pandemic struck, around 15% of the patients at Peerless Hospital would be from Bangladesh. They contributed 8%-10% of the hospital’s annual revenue. “We received around 40-50 patients from Bangladesh every day, which has dropped to zero now. Once the flights resume, we expect 20-22 patients to visit a day and the number would double once the roads are opened up,” said Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra.
Ruby Hospital has already started processing “visa invitation” forms for Bangladesh patients who have sought treatment based on their medical and travel documents. “We expect only the serious patients, like those suffering from cancer, to visit initially. If more flights operate and roads are opened, the number will rise,” said Subhasish Datta of the hospital.
Till early 2020, Bangladesh patients would be around 12% of outpatient and inpatient admissions every day at RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS). “When things were settling down after the first wave, the numbers came up to around 40% of pre-pandemic volumes which again slid down considerably after the second wave. Now with flights resuming, we may expect similar numbers which appeared after the first wave. The Mukundapur area is logistically supportive to patients from Bangladesh which helps them,” said RTIICS zonal head R Venkatesh.
AMRI Hospitals that received around 3,000 Bangladeshi patients a month across its three units before the pandemic, expects a rush from the neighbouring country. “Many have deferred their treatment and will now be keen to seek consultations and admissions. We have already processed 300-400 visa invitation forms for Bangladesh patients who will be visiting us next week,” said AMRI CEO Rupak Barua.
Medica Superspecialty Hospital would receive around 8-10 patients from Bangladesh every day before the pandemic. “They generated around 10% of our annual revenue. Now that flights are resuming, we will definitely accommodate them,” said Medica chairperson Alok Roy.
