Kolkata Hospitals Concerned Over Decline in Bangladeshi Patients

Several hospitals in Kolkata are concerned over a significant decline in the number of Bangladeshi patients. To restore patients’ confidence, they have decided to send delegations to Bangladesh within the next few weeks. Members of the delegations will speak directly with patients and their relatives. They will also help them find safe accommodation in Kolkata and assist with booking hotels in advance.

Recently, nine people were killed in a devastating fire at a hotel on Free School Street in Kolkata. Seven of the victims were Bangladeshi citizens who had travelled to the city for medical treatment. Following the incident, authorities began inspections of low-cost hotels and guesthouses in Kolkata. In response, the Bangladesh High Commission advised Bangladeshi citizens travelling to Kolkata for medical treatment and other purposes to book safe and legally operated hotels before travelling.

To reduce accommodation problems for Bangladeshi patients travelling to Kolkata for treatment, hospitals are making agreements with hotels, guesthouses and residential establishments near their facilities. Hospitals are also assisting patients so that they can book accommodation in advance that has the required approvals and proper safety measures.

Hospital authorities said many Bangladeshi patients who come to Kolkata for treatment reach the city by road and look for low-cost accommodation. As a result, many of them stay at residential hotels or guesthouses without checking them in advance. The hospitals want to reduce this risk through the new initiative. A delegation from BP Poddar Hospital in South Kolkata will visit Bangladesh next week. At the same time, work is underway to establish accommodation facilities of its own near the hospital for Bangladeshi patients.

The hospital’s Group Adviser, Mr. Supriya Chakraborty, said safe accommodation is being arranged near the hospital to make patients’ medical journeys easier and hassle-free. These accommodations will have organised security arrangements and are expected to open very soon.

In addition, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer and president of the organisation of hospitals in eastern India, Rupak Barua, said Bangladeshi patients are being made aware of the importance of staying in safe accommodation. A list of safe guesthouses and hotels in the Alipore area is being provided to patients who are expected to come for treatment within the next two weeks, so that they can arrange their accommodation before travelling to India.