United News of Bangladesh

Leading hospitals in Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, are increasingly attracting Bangladeshi patients seeking advanced but affordable medical treatment for critical diseases, with authorities pledging faster visas, smoother procedures and language support to ease medical tourism. Chinese officials said urgent visas can be issued within a day under a ‘green channel’, with many requirements already eased. They said their hospitals provide high-quality treatment at about one-fourth the cost of Thailand, cheaper than Malaysia, and only slightly higher than top Indian hospitals. Bangladesh authorities said China offered support while the interim government explored alternatives beyond India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia for timely and cost-effective treatment. “We are exploring how to expand services and work with travel agencies to attract more Bangladeshi patients,” Yunnan Health Commission deputy director Wang Jiankun told a Bangladesh media delegation during a visit to the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. He said strengthening medical cooperation is part of broader ties aimed at improving healthcare access, disease control and people-to-people links. During hospital visits, Bangladeshi journalists saw patients receiving treatment for serious conditions, including liver cirrhosis, breast cancer and heart problems. Treatment for intellectually disabled patients available in China Patients said facilities were modern, staff attentive, and care affordable. Language remains a challenge, but hospitals are recruiting Bangladeshi exchange students and Chinese medical students as volunteer interpreters. The 23-member media delegation, led by Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, visited Kunming from August 6–9 to review medical facilities. Wang said the province has 29,678 health institutions, including 1,319 hospitals, 122 tertiary hospitals, and 472 secondary hospitals, with 370,000 beds in total. Of them, he said five major hospitals – Yunnan First People’s Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, and Zhongshan Hospital – are prepared to treat Bangladeshi patients. “These hospitals have special units for international patients, official contact channels and staff to respond quickly to queries. Our international medical pricing is fair, and Bangladeshi patients in pilot hospitals have expressed high satisfaction,” Wang said. Lu Jiang, assistant to the president of Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, said treatment costs in Kunming are much lower than in neighbouring countries, depending on the type of examinations and equipment used. “The quality is comparable to Thailand but about one-fourth the cost. Prices are also lower than in Malaysia,” he said. Chinese officials responded to queries on language barriers, accommodation, travel expenses, credit card use, follow-up care, billing and repatriation of deceased patients. Wang said they are aware of the challenges and are working to ensure a smooth treatment experience. China vows hassle-free healthcare for Bangladeshi patients in Yunnan The delegation also visited Kunming Tongren Hospital, a leading private facility. Vice-President Shen Ling said the hospital has sufficient doctors and medical staff, with international-standard diagnostic and laboratory tools ensuring accurate diagnoses and treatment. She said the hospital has a strong team dedicated to treating intellectually disabled children and presented case studies of Bangladeshi patients treated for critical illnesses and disabilities. Shen said the hospital’s new International Medical and Oncology Centre will open in 2026, offering advanced services and making it an ideal choice for Bangladeshi patients seeking high-quality care. Two attendants of Bangladeshi patients expressed satisfaction over Tongren Hospital’s services. Omar Faruque from Jashore, who brought his cousin Jannatul Naim for a back problem, praised doctors’ hands-on care and careful use of medicine, though he mentioned language barriers and high food costs. Sagor Hossain from Chattogram, who brought his mother for cancer treatment, said he was pleased with the services but stressed the urgent need for English-language documentation, as Bangladeshi doctors cannot read Chinese. Hospital authorities said they offer overseas patients full support, including halal meals, prayer facilities, interpreters, and detailed treatment information. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of China–Bangladesh diplomatic relations and the year of people-to-people exchanges. “Healthcare cooperation has become a key achievement. The first Bangladeshi patients travelled in March, and about 600 have since received treatment. We expect 4,000–5,000 by year-end,” he said. Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder said only one direct Dhaka–Kunming flight operates at present, keeping fares high, but a Chattogram–Kunming route is being planned. “A direct Chattogram–Kunming flight is expected by year-end, making travel easier for patients and businesspeople,” he said. Official sources said some 800,000 Bangladeshi citizens travel abroad each year for medical treatment, mostly to India, Thailand and Singapore, citing higher standards of care and specialised services. According to data from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and figures referenced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this medical tourism results in an annual outflow estimated between $2 billion and $5 billion.

Amid an ongoing exodus of Bangladeshi patients seeking treatment abroad, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) stands poised to lead the country towards a future as a medical tourism hub. Local residents, frustrated by inadequate healthcare facilities, are expressing their hopes for improved medical infrastructure and services that could, in turn, attract patients from neighboring countries. Bijoy Sikdar, a resident of Mohammadpur, is among those who have frequently travelled to India for his father's medical treatment. "If our country had better medical facilities, we wouldn’t need to go abroad; instead, people from other countries would come here for treatment," he shared, underscoring the urgency of developing local healthcare facilities. The sentiment is echoed by Rezaul Karim, who had to take his son, Shakhor Karim, to India for neurological care. "The costs aren’t much higher there than here. Dhaka Medical is overwhelmed with patients, making timely care challenging," he explained. Similar accounts from Habib Khan, who frequently seeks treatment in India and Thailand, stress the need for an upgraded system that allows for comprehensive, timely care. Despite Bangladesh’s array of skilled doctors, government hospitals such as Dhaka Medical struggle under the pressure of an overwhelming patient load. A specialist at DMCH, wishing to remain anonymous, cited the hospital’s lack of essential equipment and capacity for treating complex diseases. "We are forced to watch as patients go abroad, knowing they could be treated here if we were better equipped," he said. The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Forum reports that approximately 800,000 people from Bangladesh seek medical treatment abroad annually. India is the most popular destination for these medical tourists, with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia also being significant choices. Plans for Transformation Responding to these concerns, Brigadier General Asaduzzaman Khan, the Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, expressed a clear vision for transforming the hospital into a medical tourism destination. "Our expansion plan includes a new building for foreign patients, specialised services, advanced equipment, and an increase in bed capacity to 5,000," he shared, adding that conversations with health advisers have already begun. Read: Hygiene in Dhaka Medical College Hospital remains a major concern The director highlighted that these steps, if implemented across government hospitals, could not only enhance public trust but also draw patients from other countries. "It’s a vision that requires investment and strategic planning, but it’s achievable," he said. Challenges and Missed Opportunities However, Dhaka Medical’s existing infrastructure continues to be plagued by severe mismanagement. Patient care is hindered by a nearly doubled patient load compared to seating capacity, leading to scenes of overcrowded corridors and unhygienic conditions. The lack of sufficient resources and infrastructure has driven countless patients to seek alternatives abroad, undermining the hospital's potential to be a regional healthcare leader. Director Asaduzzaman Khan acknowledged these persistent issues and reflected on missed opportunities. "If we had prioritised replacing old buildings and constructing new ones earlier, perhaps we wouldn’t face this overwhelming chaos now," he said, pointing out that timely planning could have prevented the current burden of patient overflows and corruption-related challenges. A History of Growth Established in 1946 following the partition of India, Dhaka Medical College has grown from an institution with just four departments to one that now accommodates numerous departments and thousands of students. Expansion efforts over the decades have added new buildings and facilities, including a complex inaugurated in 2013. However, despite these developments, patient demand has consistently outstripped capacity. Read more: Mismanagement and overcrowding plague Dhaka Medical College Hospital Today, Bangladesh boasts 39 public medical colleges and 68 private ones, with government seats numbering 5,380 and private seats at 6,040 for aspiring MBBS students. While these numbers suggest significant growth in medical education, the capacity to serve patients locally remains inadequate. Future Prospects As Bangladesh’s premier healthcare institution, Dhaka Medical College Hospital holds immense potential to advance Bangladesh’s position in medical tourism, provided that urgent steps are taken to rectify existing infrastructure issues and manage patient volumes effectively. With strategic investments and an organised approach, Bangladesh can realise a future where not only does it retain its citizens for medical treatment, but it also attracts international patients seeking quality care.

The United Arab Emirates has established itself as one of the best medical tourism destinations in the world over the past years, thanks to international confidence in its health sector, which has succeeded in attracting major medical institutions of international prestige.