Executives from major hospital chains have said that since the start of the recent political happenings in India, the number of Bangladeshis traveling there for medical care has decreased by up to 50%.

Business leaders also worry that trade disruptions brought on by the political unrest may hamper India's pharmaceutical exports to Bangladesh, which is becoming a bigger market for them.

With many patients choosing to receive high-quality, reasonably priced care in Indian facilities, India has emerged as a popular destination for Bangladeshi medical tourists.

"The ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh has impacted the flow of patients to our facilities," stated the spokesperson for the healthcare group Fortis Healthcare.

The number of patients who have canceled or postponed their travel plans has decreased by up to 50% at some of the hospital's visits from these patients, he said, adding that he hoped that "it will gradually improve as the situation stabilizes in Bangladesh".

A hospital official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the numbers from Bangladesh have been steadily rising. He added: "They would have been severely affected." He mentioned several hospital chains that take in the highest amount of patients from Bangladesh.

Hospitals are observing a declining trend in patient arrivals from Bangladesh, and an executive from the international marketing team of one of the largest hospital chains said that they are afraid of a further decline in the numbers.

"We have seen a reduced number of patients coming to the hospital over the past few weeks from Bangladesh. Approximately 20 percent reduction has been seen since the unrest began," this executive said. 

An additional executive from a major hospital chain reported that they had already experienced a 30% decrease in patient volumes and a 5% drop in revenue. Additionally, he said, " Also new patients are not coming."

Pharma experts, however, worry about industry disruptions. Thirty percent of all pharmaceutical raw materials and active components are sourced from India by Bangladesh.

"Any crisis that affects trade could lead to delays in supply, increased costs, or even interruptions in medication availability," said an industry executive.

He said that the big pharmaceutical corporations as well as medium-sized and small businesses will probably be impacted.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)