The number of Bangladeshi patients visiting Kolkata for medical treatment has steadily decreased due to tighter visa restrictions. Hindutva organizations in the city had previously demanded that hospitals stop treating Bangladeshi patients, citing unverified claims of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. This situation has now worsened as fewer Bangladeshi patients are arriving for treatment, leading to a significant decline in business for private hospitals in Kolkata. Nearby hotels are also feeling the impact, struggling due to the reduced influx of patients.
In response to the drop in patient numbers, hospitals such as Desun, Ruby, Narayana, Fortis, Medica, and Peerless have been forced to downsize their staff. Many doctors, particularly those on contractual agreements who worked at both private and government hospitals, have been informed that their services are no longer required unless the patient load increases.
Dr. Amitabh Malakar, who regularly consulted at several hospitals for bypass surgeries, explained that hospitals have reduced consultation hours. What was once a four-hour shift is now cut down to just one hour. Some hospitals, like Desun, have even told doctors not to come in unless there is an increase in patient numbers.
Nurses, attendants, and security guards have also felt the impact. Many nurses have been forced to take unpaid leave. One anonymous nurse at Peerless Hospital, who has worked there for 10 years, stated, “We never faced such a situation before. We used to be constantly busy due to the high patient volume. Now, the hospital is operating at a loss, and the management has said they’ll call us back once things improve.”
The situation has also affected security personnel. A security guard at Narayana Hospital noted that the number of guards required directly correlates with patient numbers. With the reduction in Bangladeshi patients, there is no longer a need for additional staff. As a result, he lost his job and now works a night shift at a small company, earning less than before.
Private hospitals along the Bypass are now struggling, with the number of Bangladeshi patients decreasing by almost two-thirds. Both outpatient and inpatient numbers have sharply declined. Just a few months ago, these hospitals saw a steady influx of Bangladeshi patients, who made up nearly 35-40% of total patients across various specializations, including heart diseases, neurosurgery, cancer, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopedic surgeries, and infertility treatments.
With continued travel restrictions, many patients from Bangladesh are now opting for treatment in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, further decreasing the patient flow to Kolkata. This has resulted in a loss of approximately 12-21 lakh INR in weekly revenue for most private hospitals in the region, according to corporate sources.
The impact is also being felt by small food vendors around the hospitals. Tea sellers, fish and rice vendors, and small eateries are struggling, with some businesses even shutting down. However, many remain hopeful that once the situation normalizes, patient numbers will rise, and their businesses will recover.
According to Liberty News’ international correspondent, the city’s private hospitals and surrounding businesses are facing a severe downturn due to the drastic reduction in Bangladeshi patients. Hospital staff, vendors, and business owners are anxiously waiting for a return to normalcy in the hope of regaining their lost income.
LND/BG
