Bangladeshi patients with cardiac complaints should avail treatment in the country instead of seeking treatment abroad.
Noted Indian Cardiac Surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty said this while inaugurating a new hospital named - Imperial Hospital in Pahartoli uptown neighbourhood in the port city of Chottogram on Saturday.
He said, “Bangladeshis should stop traveling abroad, including India. Instead the patients should get treatment here at home so that they can afford treatment of critical cardiac problems and that too at reasonable costs.”
Dr Shetty who is also Chairman and founder of Narayana Health, a chain of 21 medical centers in India, said, “I have a single mission here, I wish not to see patients from Bangladesh travelling any more to India or any other country just for the sake of treatment of heart.”
He cited example of how Indian patients 35 years ago once used to travel to hospitals and nursing homes in UK and spend huge amounts of money. “Today we don’t see that many Indian patients traveling to UK just for treatment as vast majorities of the patients are able to avail (cardiac) treatment in India which is a good indication. I like to see a similar situation happening for the patients in Bangladesh too.”
Dr Shetty said, “There are equally skilled (cardiac) doctors available in Bangladesh. In fact, there is hardly any difference among the doctors considering their exposure to modern knowledge on cardiac treatment. My mission would to transfer advanced technology of modern cardiac (surgeries) treatment so that the local doctors also become equally competent and hence earn confidence of patients who traditionally consider traveling abroad for heart treatment.”
Narayana Health hospital, headquartered in Bengaluru, India, will collaborate with Imperial Hospital of Chattogram and Dr Shetty himself would treat patients in Imperial Hospital if necessary.
While mentioning a few words about Imperial Hospital Dr Shetty said, “The hospital is essentially built for the benefit of the poor but will also care for affluent people of the society.”
Former Minister and Presidium member of ruling Bangladesh Awami league Eng Mosharof Hossain, Dr Rabiul Hossain, Chairman of Imperial Hospital Ltd and M A Malek, organizer of the Imperial Hospital also spoke at the program. Imperial Hospital is a modern facility with sophisticated equipment and technology constructed in port city Chattogram which is the second largest populated city of the country.
Dr Rabiul Hossain, in his inaugural speech said, “The hospital is located on an area of 6.60 lakh square feet with five separate buildings. It would offer modern treatment in emergency services. Departments like cardiac, neurology, orthopedic and maternity care would also be available.”
Dr Shetty while casually sharing his views on the issue said, “Actually there is not much difference in treatment protocols between India and Bangladesh. However, due to availability of so many similar hospitals in India and hence opinions of doctors, treatment cost in Indian is reasonably cheaper than in Bangladesh.”
Responding to a query, he said, “Cardiac problem usually is a problem of retired life, but recent reports in the sub-continent reveal that many young people are also becoming sick with cardiac problems. People should check for any symptoms in advance before it is threatening.”