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Medical tourism is a significant source of revenue for India as it has emerged as the health destination for many southeast countries. Tabassum shares her experience visiting Chennai with her mother in two parts, exclusively for Different Truths.
Many people from Bangladesh and West Bengal (India) visit Chennai for medical treatment each year. Some people stay there for a week, and some stay there for a more extended period. I would love to share my two-month experience.
The south of India is very different. The people are kind, hospitable, and caring. Like other coastal area people, it seems that they share big hearts.
Chennai is almost a crime-free city.
Chennai is almost a crime-free city. Please don’t worry about safety and security concerns. Here you can see special police patrolling only for women and children support.
Before travelling, Bangladeshi citizens should take photocopies of passports, visas, and national IDs. Take copies of the medical reports. They call Dolo or other names. If the patient’s name is written on paper, it saves time and makes it easier for the doctors and staff of the hospital.
The hotel bookings are made online. Don’t be fooled by photos of the hotels posted online. Concentrate on the location. How far is it from the hospital? If you have haram and halal issues, the hotels in Aziz Mulk Street, Thousand Lights, are ideal for you. For the people of the Sanatan Dharma (Hindus), many hotels are available on Greams Road. There are options for the guest house, mess, and furnished apartments. Choose according to your affordability. While endorsing Dollars don’t take only INR 2000, 1000 and 500. Small notes come in handy.
When visiting a country, be respectful of that country’s customs, traditions and culture.
When visiting a country, be respectful of that country’s customs, traditions and culture.
It is essential to obey the rules, regulations and laws of the land you visit. If you have a six-month visa, you must see FRRO (Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office) within 14 days of your visit. If you have six months visa but visit for seven days, registration is mandatory.
For assistance, ask your hospital’s International Patients Desk or Support. You can do it online. But it is worth visiting FRRO, which is called Shastri Bhavan. It is named after India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Their kindness touched me.
Their kindness touched me. I must share this personal experience with gratitude. Then Corona was reaching its peak. The officers requested that I must not visit other places with my mother (the patient) except for the hospital. Sign the register and wait. They will call you. If you are visiting the place by auto or taxi, tell the driver “Shastri Bhavan”. And don’t forget to remind the hotel to fill up the C form. For assurance, ask for the photocopy and proof that they have filled out the form.
Be ready with your vaccination certificates and do carry photocopies. Call the cab driver if you don’t have an arrangement with the hospital to pick you up. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Dhaka, so on your way to the hotel, ask the cab driver to stop by the shop, where you can buy an Indian sim card and mobile data. This is very important to have during your stay.
You can make your check-in easy by giving the hotel reception the photocopies of your passport and visa. And if you have a six-month visa, give the hotel staff a reminder to fill out the C-form.
Ola is the Indian version of Uber.
Ola’s charge is a bit higher than the general auto or taxi, so choose Ola. Ola is the Indian version of Uber. Remember that they call auto, not CNG. Download Ola and get used to it. Always prepare the fare so you can give it to the taxi or auto driver when you reach the hospital.
On the first day of the appointment, reach 45 minutes earlier for the registration. You may show your passport and take photocopies. After the formalities are over, go to your doctor. Report to the desk with the appointment letter. They will ask you to wait. Don’t be impatient and ask them repeatedly “When”. Because they have thousands of patents to attend to, and they do follow the serial. Asking them the same question is not only a waste of time and energy but also makes the whole process slow.
To be continued
Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths
