Bangladesh, a nation neighboring India, is experiencing a wave of violence and protests that have sent ripples into Indian territories. Following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi, the unrest in Bangladesh has escalated, coinciding with increasing diplomatic tensions with India. Bangladesh recently suspended visa and consular services at its High Commission in New Delhi.
Similarly, in the Northeastern state of Tripura, Bangladesh's Assistant High Commission announced the same restriction, and a private operator's visa services in West Bengal have been halted. This development poses significant risks to medical travel from Bangladesh to India.
According to government data, India's medical tourism sector has surged in recent years, with Bangladesh consistently being the top contributor. In 2020, over 182,000 medical tourists visited India, with 99,155 hailing from Bangladesh. By 2024, the total number of medical tourists surged past 644,000, of which 482,336 were Bangladeshi citizens. Following Bangladesh, countries like Iraq, Somalia, Oman, and Uzbekistan also contribute to India's medical tourism, albeit in smaller numbers.
Data indicates that Bangladesh is the largest source of medical visas among foreign tourists visiting India. Between 2020 and 2024, millions of Bangladeshis traveled to India for medical treatment. The number soared from about 182,000 in 2020 to over 644,000 in 2024, establishing Bangladesh as the largest contributor to India's medical FTAs.
Source: aajtak
Bangladesh has been a consistent leader in providing medical tourists to India from 2020 to 2024. The influx of medical travelers from Bangladesh increased from 99,155 in 2020 to 482,336 in 2024, underscoring India's prominent role as an affordable healthcare destination for Bangladeshi individuals. Iraq, Somalia, Oman, and Uzbekistan trail behind Bangladesh in contributing to this sector. Overall, India's medical FTAs rose from 182,945 in 2020 to 644,387 in 2024, reflecting the growing international trust in India's healthcare system.
Why do Bangladeshi Patients Opt for India?
India has long been a favored destination for Bangladeshi patients, primarily due to affordable healthcare options. Weak regulation in Bangladesh's private healthcare sector contributes significantly to the high out-of-pocket expenses for visits to doctors, medication, tests, and hospital treatments not covered by insurance or government aid. A 2023 report reviewing
