Bangladeshi patients cancel surgeries at Kolkata hospistals amid turmoil | Kolkata News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Scheduled surgeries and appointments of Bangladeshi patients started getting cancelled and deferred across Kolkata’s private hospitals over the weekend. Patients either cancelled or altered travel plans due to the ongoing turmoil or did not report for admission at hospitals.
Peerless Hospital cancelled at least five surgeries since Friday as patients did not report for admission. “We have not heard from any of them and assume they can’t travel now. Another 15 Bangladeshi patients’ surgeries are scheduled till Friday, and we suspect that none will get admitted,” said CEO Sudipta Mitra. He added that the hospital has an online consultation facility and Bangladeshi patients were free to use it. “So far, none has done it,” added Mitra.
At Desun Hospital, which has seen a 75% drop in Bangladeshi patients in the last month, at least 50 patients have opted for online consultations. Many scheduled OPD appointments and admissions have been deferred despite the hospital’s planning and quick issue of visa invitation letters (VIL). “We are advising patients who can’t travel to stay in touch with their treating doctors in Bangladesh and keep them informed about their health condition. We also offer online consultations with our team of specialist doctors. This virtual consultation service helps patients to stay connected with healthcare providers and receive timely advice,” said director Shaoli Dutta.

Around 50 surgeries scheduled during the last ten days of Dec have been deferred at BP Poddar Hospital. “Number of Bangladeshi patients swells during the Christmas when many plan their cold surgeries like hip and knee replacement and microscopic spine surgery. This year also we had nearly 50 cold surgeries lined up between Dec 20 and 30. But it seems all will be postponed to later dates,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group advisor of BP Poddar. The hospital had no Bangladeshi patient at its OPD on Friday. “We don’t have any OPD appointment on Monday either. Three Bangladeshi patients who are currently in the city may visit on Tuesday,” said Chakrabarty. The hospital is offering online consultations to a few gynaecology and urology patients.
Manipal Hospitals have seen a sharp drop in OPD footfalls and admissions, which could soon lead to surgery cancellations. “We are ensuring continuity of care for our old patients over telemedicine. Some of them, who managed to get a medical visa due to urgent medical conditions, have availed treatment here as well, and no planned surgeries have been deferred so far. Online consultations are rising,” said Ayanabh Debgupta, regional COO, Manipal Hospitals (East).
Several hospitals said after normal patient flow dipped in Aug, it started going up post-puja. “But it was never like before,” said Chakrabarty.