Bangladeshi medical tourists find healing in Thailand’s top-tier healthcare system.
Each year, an estimated 700,000 Bangladeshis seek medical treatment abroad, contributing approximately US$4 billion to the global medical tourism market. With each patient spending around US$5,000 annually, it’s no wonder that the medical tourism industry is booming.
Currently, Thailand captures around four percent of this lucrative Bangladesh market. However, as Thailand’s reputation as a premium medical tourism destination continues to grow, there is an increasing effort to attract more Bangladeshi clients to its world-class healthcare facilities.
Delivering a new and unique approach to this effort is the Dhaka-based Global HealthCare Center (GHC), an offshoot of PharmaSolutions Bangladesh Limited. GHC offers a one stop healthcare solution which enables Bangladeshis to assess and access treatment options across the globe from their home country.
Pharma Solutions Bangladesh Ltd., previously known as Zuellig Pharma Bangladesh Limited (ZPBL) has been in operation since 2006 and quickly grew to become of the country’s leading pharmaceutical importers and distributors. It has 1100 staff throughout Bangladesh, 13 branches in all major cities in Bangladesh and a distribution network that serves over 51,000 customers.
“Adding a dedicated facility like GHC to focus on patients’ specific medical needs was an obvious next step”, says Karina Tammaru, Managing Director of PharmaSolutions.
The state-of-art high-tech GHC facility located in the heart of Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, includes a dedicated team of healthcare professionals that introduces patients to available treatment options around the globe for various health issues.
“Our team of in-house doctors start by preparing a comprehensive medical profile for a 360-degree outlook of a patient’s health condition”, says Tammaru. “This process enables specialists to convey their expert opinion more accurately”.
The center then offers the best treatment option with a specialist, who in many cases might be located abroad.
Global HealthCare Center utilizes a bespoke world-class setup for expert opinion via video conferencing from distant locations. This includes a medical grade camera, big screen tv, power back-up and internet back-up that allows a local doctor to communicate with a doctor in a country such as Thailand, while the patient looks on.
After the remote consultation, and once the destination and specialist is decided, the team coordinates with the chosen doctor and hospital, arranges an invitation letter from the hospital, provides guidance for VISAS, air tickets, accommodation and services such as interpretation.
Subsequent follow-ups with the specialist can be done from the video consultation facility when the patient returns home.
The benefits of being part of a larger pharma group means that GHC also has its own pharmacy with a home delivery service and can arrange required medicine imports from other countries.
GHC’s founder Jimmy Ekram Hussain says Thailand was a logical choice for a variety of treatment options offshore.
“Thailand is renowned for its cutting-edge medical technology and highly skilled healthcare professionals’, he says. “It’s also affordable. While medical treatments in Thailand are more expensive than neighboring India, Thailand is still competitively priced, offering high-quality care at a fraction of the cost in Western countries”.
GHC has partnered with several leading Thailand hospitals that offer a mix of specialties and budget options for their patients.
These include Samitivej Hospitals, MedPark Hospital, Vimut Hospital, Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital, Princ Suvannabhumi Hospital and Phiyathai Hospital.
GHC is also aligned with clinics for aesthetics, such as APEX, and IVF facilities such as Bangkok Central Clinic.
The response from patients has been positive.
“The service was excellent”, says Mitu, Sister and Caregiver of Md. Badsha Mia.
“Even my family members are also very satisfied. If not for my mother, I may need to go for my brother again. My father told me before about you that if I go abroad for treatment, I must go via GHC.”
Patient Md. Badal Sarker described the service as comprehensive and hassle-free.
“In the end, I would say that Global Healthcare Center has made my treatment in Thailand smooth”, he says.
Muhammed Abu Sayeem says the center’s ability to select the right specialist helped him avoid the expense of visiting numerous hospitals.
“By quickly arriving at a diagnosis”, he says, “they saved me both time and money.”
Thailand’s geographic proximity to Bangladesh makes it an accessible destination for medical tourism. With numerous direct flights and a short travel distance of about 2.5 hours, Bangladeshi patients can reach Thailand quickly and conveniently, minimizing travel-related stress.
https://www.ghcare.com/
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