Why India is a Top Medical Treatment Destination for Ethiopians?

09 July,2024

In 2020-2021, India ranked 10th in the world on the Medical Tourism Index, becoming one of the top destinations of choice for medical tourists. Since then, India's popularity has only grown amongst foreign patients. It is predicted that as many as 7.3 million tourists will travel to India in 2024 to seek medical facilities. One of the significant contributors to Indian medical tourism is Ethiopia. Almost 8,000-10,000 patients have recently traveled to India from Ethiopia for medical treatment.

Despite being one of the oldest African countries, Ethiopia's healthcare system is still under development. In rural areas, access to high-quality medical care is severely limited. As a result, Ethiopians desiring safe and effective treatments travel to other countries like India. Since 1948, India and Ethiopia have shared cordial diplomatic relations, which has also been reflected in the healthcare sector. India also exports drugs and pharmaceuticals to Ethiopia in large amounts. This blog delves deeper into the factors that make India a favored destination for Ethiopian patients.

Why do Ethiopian Patients Prefer India?

India's popularity as a medical tourism destination amongst Ethiopians can be attributed to several healthcare-related factors, such as:

Cost-effective Healthcare

• The cost of treatment is the most important factor considered by Ethiopian patients. In that aspect, India is at the forefront with its affordable healthcare. 
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in Ethiopia. The cost of breast cancer treatment in Ethiopia amounts to approximately ETB 135,000 (USD 2,300). 
• In comparison, the average cost of breast cancer treatment in India starts at around ETB 60,000 (USD 1,050). 
• Treatment in India is also significantly cheaper than in developed countries like the United States of America, where the cost may go up to USD 1,25,000.

Quality of Medical Services

• Indian hospitals offer medical facilities of the highest standards. 
• Cutting-edge technology, advanced procedures, new-age surgeries, and modern medicine are some of the reasons why India attracts numerous Ethiopian patients year after year. 
• Moreover, these high standards are maintained through meticulous inspections by organizations like the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).

Skilled Professionals

• Indian doctors, nurses, and paramedics undergo rigorous training to become experts in their fields. Several professionals also opt to obtain specialized medical training from renowned international institutions. 
• As a result, Ethiopian patients are assured of getting the highest quality of care when they come to India for treatment. 
• Also, in Ethiopia, there are 1.03 doctors per 10,000 patients, whereas in India, there are 7.26 doctors per 10,000 patients. Therefore, doctor availability is not an issue in India.

Diverse Treatment Options

• The Indian healthcare system offers a wide range of treatment solutions for various disorders. 
• From regular diagnostic procedures to the most advanced surgical procedures, everything is often available under one roof. 
• Therefore, Ethiopian patients coming to India can easily find the treatment that caters to their unique needs.

Other Reasons Why India is Favored by Ethiopian Patients

India attracts patients from Ethiopia due to several other aspects, such as:

Convenience of Travel

• One primary reason India became a popular destination among Ethiopians is the connectivity between the two nations. 
• The average flight time from Ethiopia to India is just over six hours. As many as 77 flights run between the countries each week. 
• The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, is well-connected to all major Indian cities, such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata.

Hospitality

• Indians are famous worldwide for their hospitable nature, which extends to the healthcare system as well. 
• The Indian medical staff treats Ethiopian patients with respect, friendliness, and professionalism. 
• The warmth and hospitality enhance their experience and help them feel more comfortable in a foreign land.

No Communication Gap

• English is the most vastly spoken foreign language in Ethiopia and is also commonly spoken among the medical community. 
• As a result, Ethiopian patients do not experience a language barrier in India. 
• Conversations between doctors and patients are smooth, and it is easier for the patients to trust their doctors.

Word-of-mouth Publicity

• According to a survey conducted among Ethiopian patients who had visited India for medical treatment, over 90% reported having positive experiences with Indian doctors. 
• The doctors' skills, knowledge, and professional demeanor impressed the Ethiopian patients. 
• India's positive reputation has further fueled its popularity as a medical tourism destination for Ethiopian citizens.

Alternative Medicine

• India is home to traditional treatments like Ayurveda and Yoga. 
• Ethiopians seeking holistic healing for their ailments also visit India to benefit from these ancient forms of medicine.

Which Treatments Are Commonly Opted for by Ethiopian Patients?

Ethiopian patients travel to India to avail themselves of treatments in a wide range of specialties, such as:

• Oncology: Cancer is one of the significant causes of mortality in Ethiopia. In 2020, 22.6% of cancer-related deaths were due to breast cancer, followed by leukemia and colon cancer. Cancer treatment is not readily accessible in the country, so Ethiopian patients travel to India to seek treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Modern treatment options like stem-cell transplant and hormone therapy are also available at a reasonable cost.
• Gynecology: Indian gynecologists have been administering infertility treatments for a long time. Procedures such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) have seen high success rates in India, giving hope to Ethiopian couples dealing with infertility.
• Orthopedics: Ethiopian patients seeking relief from joint issues often travel to India for hip or knee replacement surgeries. Indian orthopedic doctors are also trained in advanced procedures such as robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgeries. Thus, getting orthopedic treatment in India becomes a feasible option for Ethiopians.
• Cardiology: Indian cardiology hospitals offer treatments such as valve repair and replacements, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and pacemaker insertion for those suffering from cardiac ailments. Modern technology, such as 3D printing and robotics, are also used to improve the standard of cardiac care in care. Therefore, Ethiopians choose to travel to India for cardiovascular procedures.

Other Specialities Sought by Ethiopian Patients

Along with cardiology, oncology, IVF, and orthopedics, Ethiopian patients travel to India for specialties such as:

• Pediatric Cardiology: India has several pediatric cardiologists trained to treat children's heart disorders. They are skilled in providing treatment for conditions like atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). As repairing these congenital heart conditions has become accessible and affordable in India, it has significantly improved the quality of life of Ethiopian children.
• Spine Surgery: India has achieved an 80% to 90% success rate for spine surgeries. Indian spine surgeons routinely perform procedures such as deformity corrections, spinal fusion surgeries, kyphoplasty, and disc replacements. The introduction of minimally invasive spine surgery to treat spinal disorders has boosted India's popularity among Ethiopians.
• Organ Transplantation: India's efficient organ donation and transplant sector is a boon for Ethiopian patients. Those needing transplantation of organs such as kidneys, liver, or bone marrow can avail themselves of safe and effective procedures at a reasonable cost in India.

Best Hospitals in India for Ethiopian Patients

India has over 50 JCI-accredited and 1,350 NABH-accredited hospitals for Ethiopian patients to choose from. Some of the best hospitals in India are:

• Shalby Sanar International Hospital, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Gurugram
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
• Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi
• Apollo Cancer Centre, Teynampet, Chennai
• Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore

How do Ethiopian Patients Obtain an Indian Medical Visa?

All Ethiopian citizens are required to obtain an Indian medical visa, known as the eMedical Visa, to come to India and seek medical treatment. This visa grants entry into India to only the patient. If a family member or relative wishes to travel with the patient, they must apply for a separate eMedical Attendant Visa.

Documents Required by Ethiopian Patients for Indian Medical Visa

• A duly filled online visa application form (hard copy)
• Original Ethiopian passport, with at least six months validity
• A photocopy of the bio-page of the passport in which the date of birth, residence, and passport validity are clearly visible
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Proof of residence (driver's license/utility bills)
• Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) Certificate
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
• A letter from the local hospital with information about the patient's medical condition and need for treatment in India
• An official Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) from the concerned Indian hospital with details about the treatment plan
• Relevant medical documents and test results
• Bank statements as proof that patients can sustain themselves in India
• A copy of the confirmed return ticket to Ethiopia

Validity

The Indian medical visa for Ethiopians is valid for one year from the date of issuance. It is a triple-entry visa, i.e., patients from Ethiopia can enter India thrice within the validity period.

Processing Fees

For Ethiopian patients, the charge for an Indian medical visa with a six-month validity is ETB 2103 (approx. USD 36); for a visa with one year of validity, it is ETB 3017 (approx. USD 52).

Medical Visa for Minors of Ethiopia

When applying for a visa for minors, the following documents are required:

• A copy of the minor's birth certificate
• A copy of the passports of both parents
• A notarized visa application signed by the parents

Things to Keep in Mind

• The visa application form has to be submitted to the Embassy in person.
• The vaccination certificates have to be obtained at least two weeks before travel.
• The processing fees must be paid to the Indian High Commission's account in Ethiopia.
• Once paid, the processing fee is non-refundable.
• Payment via debit card is accepted, whereas cheques and bank transfers are prohibited.
• Processing the medical visa is required for 2 to 3 working days.
• The visa can be extended under special circumstances.
• On arrival in India, registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is mandatory.

Conclusion

As the Ethiopian medical system continues to develop, the country's access to treatment for several diseases remains limited. On the other hand, India offers benefits such as affordable medical care of the highest quality, top-of-the-line infrastructure, qualified medical professionals, and warm hospitality. Moreover, traveling to India from Ethiopia is convenient and reasonably priced. Therefore, the number of Ethiopians traveling to India for medical tourism will continue to grow.

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