Why do Tanzanians Travel to India for Healthcare?

30 August,2024

India ranked 10th worldwide on the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) in 2020-2021, making it a prominent industry. One of the most significant contributors to this is patients from Africa, with 21.2% traveling to get medical treatment. Among African nations, Tanzania is the third-largest source of patients visiting from Africa.

Tanzania and India have historically shared close and cooperative diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. The country has helped expand Tanzania’s healthcare industry by sending medications, vaccinations, prosthetic limbs, radiation therapy equipment, ambulances, and other supplies. Highly developed, specialized, and affordable medical facilities annually drive thousands of Tanzanian patients to India. 

This blog presents an in-depth analysis of why Tanzanian patients prefer traveling to India to seek medical treatment.

Why do Tanzanian Patients Choose India for Medical Treatment?

Due to its sophisticated healthcare facilities, Tanzanian patients opt to get medical treatment in India. Several other factors support the growth of medical tourism in the country. These include:

• Quality Healthcare System: Medical services in India are of the finest quality and comparable to international standards. New-age treatments are also being introduced regularly in hospitals. Therefore, Tanzanian patients travel to India to seek specialized treatments that use cutting-edge technology, which may be limited in Tanzania.
• Affordable Treatment Options: The cost of medical treatment is a major deciding factor for Tanzanian patients when choosing a medical tourism destination. India offers one of the most cost-effective treatment options in the world. To reiterate, the cost of a liver transplant in India is around USD 22,000 to USD 45,000, whereas the same procedure in Tanzania costs up to USD 1,00,000. In developed countries like the United States of America, a liver transplant can cost USD 878,400. Therefore, Tanzanian patients travel to India for treatment at reasonable prices. They can use the saved money for emergencies and other post-treatment requirements.
• Accreditation for Hospitals: One way Indian hospitals maintain such high standards of care is by earning certification from regulatory bodies like the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH). The country has 55 hospitals accredited by the JCI and over 1,300 by the NABH. Thus, Tanzanian patients coming to the country are assured of receiving the best possible care from these hospitals.
• Skilled Medical Professionals: Indian doctors, nurses, and other medical staff undergo rigorous training during their medical education, rendering them experts in their fields. Several of them also obtain superspecialization from reputed international institutions in the United States of America, Europe, and others. They learn to practice various specialties, including oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, and more.
• Latest Infrastructure: The Indian medical system regularly advances cutting-edge treatment methods by introducing new technologies. Hospitals are equipped with routine diagnostic services such as X-rays and state-of-the-art treatments such as robotic and minimally invasive surgeries. Thus, Tanzanian patients coming to India can have all their medical needs met under the same roof.

Other Reasons That Make India A Popular Medical Tourism Destination For Tanzanian Patients

Besides the superior healthcare system, skilled professionals, and affordable treatments, several other factors attract Tanzanian patients to India. Some of these include:

• Convenient Travel: India and Tanzania are well connected by the air route. The minimum time for a direct flight between the Tanzanian capital, Dar Es Salaam, and Mumbai, India, is just six hours. The flights are priced reasonably, starting from just USD 285. Several major airlines also run flights from Tanzania to other Indian cities, such as Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.
• Hospitality and Cultural Sensitivity: India practices the doctrine of 'Atithi Devo Bhava,' which means the guest is equal to God. Thus, the country's citizens, doctors, and other medical personnel treat Tanzanian patients coming to India with utmost warmth and respect. English is spoken widely in both countries, which makes communication between Indian doctors and Tanzanian patients smooth and hassle-free.
• Government Initiatives: The Government of India launched the 'Heal in India' initiative in 2022, which has eased travel restrictions and promoted medical tourism in the country. In 2021, the government also initiated special AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) visas for patients seeking traditional Indian medical treatments. The medical tourism sector was conferred a 'Champion' status. As a result, the number of Tanzanian patients traveling to India to get modern and ancient treatments has steadily increased.
• Shorter Waiting Times: The doctor-to-patient ratio in Tanzania is 1:25,000. As a result, the country faces a critical shortage of doctors, and patients must wait long to get an appointment. On the other hand, the doctor-to-patient ratio in India is 1:834, which is well above the WHO-recommended ratio of 1:1000. Tanzanian patients prefer to come to India for treatment as they don't have to wait to get an appointment.
• Medical Tourism Services: India has several medical tourism companies that offer comprehensive packages to international patients that include all the services to make the experience as smooth and hassle-free as possible. They provide visa assistance, tickets, travel planning, accommodation, local SIM cards, airport transfers, language assistance, cultural assistance, hospital selection, doctor appointments, food services, currency exchange, etc. 

Which are the Most Preferred Treatments for Tanzanian Patients in India?

The Indian healthcare system is diverse and offers treatment across various specialties. Some of the most common specialties sought by Tanzanian patients traveling to India are:

• Organ Transplantation: The country is a leading destination for patients seeking transplantation surgery, ranking third in the world in the number of transplants performed. While kidney and liver transplantation procedures are the most common, Tanzanian patients also come to India for heart and bone marrow transplants. An added benefit is that Indian transplant surgeons are highly skilled and perform transplant surgeries with a 90% success rate.
• Cardiology: Tanzanian patients opt for routine cardiac procedures, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, angioplasties, heart valve surgeries, and pacemaker implantations, in India, as they are affordable without compromising quality. Indian cardiac surgeons are trained in the latest advancements in cardiology, such as interventional cardiology, robotic-assisted surgeries (RAS), and minimally invasive heart surgery.
• Orthopedics: Orthopedic treatments chosen by Tanzanian patients in India include knee and hip replacements, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and knee arthroscopy. Indian orthopedic surgeons often use modern technologies, such as minimally invasive techniques, computer navigation, robotic-assisted joint replacement, customized and 'smart' implants, and new-age implant materials like ceramic to improve the results of orthopedic procedures.
• Oncology: Cancer is the fifth most common cause of mortality in Tanzania and the second most common cause of female mortality. However, treatment options remain limited in the country. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy in India are widely available at affordable prices. Indian oncologists also employ modern therapeutic modalities such as linear accelerator (LINAC), CAR T-cell therapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and robotic surgery to treat cancer.
• Neurosurgery: Tanzanian patients travel to India for neurosurgical procedures such as craniotomy, embolization treatment of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), brain tumor surgery, and deep brain stimulation. Gamma Knife radiosurgery, proton beam therapy, and stereotactic surgery are some of the country's advanced neurosurgical treatments.

Other Specialties Opted For By Tanzanian Patients

Apart from organ transplantation, cardiac procedures, orthopedics, cancer treatment, and neurosurgery, Tanzanian patients also come to India for treatments such as:

• Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery: India is a leader in plastic surgery and ranks fifth in the world in the number of procedures performed. Tanzanian patients travel to the country to undergo procedures such as breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, liposuction, and tummy tuck. These procedures are much safer, more effective, and more affordable in India than in the rest of the world.
• Ophthalmology: Tanzanian patients dealing with eye disorders come to India to seek treatments such as cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, squint eye surgery, and cornea transplant. Indian ophthalmologists also administer the latest eye corrective procedures, such as LASIK, Contoura Vision, PRK, and SILK eye surgery, with a 98% success rate.
• Bariatric Surgery: Indian bariatric surgeons routinely perform surgeries to treat obesity safely and at an affordable price. Tanzanian patients come to the country for procedures such as adjustable gastric banding, gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass surgery, and duodenal switch. 
• Traditional Medicine and Alternative Treatments: The ancient medical system of Ayurveda originated in India. Traditional disciplines such as Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy are also practiced widely in the country. Patients travel from Tanzania to benefit from these natural and ancient treatments, including Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Mukhalepam, and Nasyam. India also has numerous wellness resorts and spas where Tanzanian patients come to rejuvenate and recuperate.

Best Hospitals in India for Tanzanian Patients

India boasts many NABH and JCI-accredited hospitals from which Tanzanian patients can choose. Notably, some of the top hospitals in India are:

• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
• MGM Healthcare, Chennai
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
• Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi
• Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
• Medanta - The Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon

Indian Medical Visa - Requirements, Procedure, Eligibility Criteria, and Other Information

All patients traveling from Tanzania for medical treatment must apply for an Indian medical visa.

What are the Documents Required to Apply for an Indian Medical Visa?

• Completely filled visa application form with accurate information
• Tanzanian passport with at least six months of validity
• Copy of a letter of appointment with a doctor from a recognized Indian hospital or a copy of an official letter from a Tanzanian hospital or doctor specifying the need for treatment and referral to an Indian hospital
• Current bank statements as financial proof that patients can support themselves for the duration of their stay in India
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Applying for an Indian Medical Visa?

The patient is eligible for an Indian medical visa only if they fulfill the following criteria:

• Their sole purpose of travel is to seek medical treatment.
• The chosen hospital must be recognized and accredited by the Indian Government.
• A maximum of two medical associates can travel with the patients as medical attendants.

What is the Procedure to Obtain an Indian Medical Visa?

• Consultation at a Local Hospital: The patient first consults with a Tanzanian doctor, who conducts diagnostic tests and gives the diagnosis. The patient is then referred to a hospital in India.
• Choice of Hospital: Once the patient's condition is diagnosed, they must choose a hospital in India based on the specialties available, their budget, and other considerations.
• Visa Application: The patients must apply for an Indian medical visa by submitting an application form, providing relevant documents to the High Commission, and paying visa application fees.
• Visa Approval: Once the authorities approve the application form and documents, the patient is granted an Indian medical visa and allowed entry into the country.

What are the Indian Medical Visa Processing Fees for Tanzanian Patients?

The Indian medical visa processing fees for Tanzanian patients are - 

• For six months validity: TZS 1,75,000 (USD 65)
• For one-year validity: TZS 2,55,00 (USD 95)

What is the Validity of the Indian Medical Visa?

• The Indian medical visa is valid for six months, one year, or the duration of the treatment, whichever is earlier.
• It is a triple-entry visa, which means the patient can come to the country up to three times within the validity period.

What are the Things to Remember When Applying for an Indian Medical Visa?

• The processing time required for an Indian medical visa is three working days.
• The attendants traveling with the patient must apply for a separate medical assistant visa co-terminus, known as the Medical Escort Visa.
• The fees for the Medical Escort Visa are the same as that for the patient's medical visa.
• FRRO registration is mandatory on arrival in India within 14 days of arrival.

In Conclusion

Access to high-quality and affordable healthcare is limited in Tanzania, so patients have turned to India to fulfill their medical needs. Some reasons are the high quality of medical facilities, cost-effective treatment, skilled medical practitioners, travel convenience, and modern infrastructure availability. As the healthcare system continues flourishing, more Tanzanian patients can seek the required treatments in India.

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