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, reports UNB.
Local residents, frustrated by inadequate healthcare facilities, are expressing their hopes for improved medical infrastructure and services that could, in turn, even attract patients from the neighboring countries.
Bijoy Sikdar, a resident of Mohammadpur in the capital, 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 have gone abroad. Instead, people from other countries would come here for treatment," he said, 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. The DMCH is overburdened with patients, making timely care challenging," he noted.
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, the government hospitals, such as DMCH, 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 the 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 per year. 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, DMCH Director Brigadier General Asaduzzaman Khan 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 the health adviser have already begun in this regard.
He highlighted that these steps, if implemented across the 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 added.
Challenges and Missed Opportunities
However, the DMCH'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.
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.
Mr 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 also pointed 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, the DMCH 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.
Future Prospects
As Bangladesh's premier healthcare institution, the DMCH holds immense potential to advance the country's position in medical tourism, provided that urgent steps are taken to rectify the existing infrastructure issues and manage patient volumes effectively.
With strategic investments and an organised approach, Bangladesh can realise a future where not only it retains the country's people for medical treatment, but also attracts international patients seeking quality care.
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