Why Zambian Patients Prefer India for Medical Treatment?

25 July,2024

Many tourists travel annually from African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Zambia to India for high-quality medical treatment. Medical tourism is one of India's rapidly developing industries. It is currently estimated at USD 6 billion and is expected to surpass USD 13 billion by 2026.

India and Zambia share cordial diplomatic relations. In the healthcare sector, pharmaceutical products are the top commodity exported from India to Zambia. The healthcare system in Zambia is still under development and poses challenges such as limited access to high-quality medical facilities, shortage of qualified medical professionals, and high treatment costs. As a result, hundreds of Zambian nationals travel to India to seek superior medical services that are also safe and affordable. This blog explores in detail the reasons that make India such a popular medical tourism destination among Zambian patients.

Why do Patients from Zambia Travel to India for Medical Treatment?

India has a lot to offer to Zambian patients in terms of medical facilities and other related factors. Zambian patients prefer India for medical treatment due to reasons such as:

• Quality of Healthcare: India is world-renowned for its specialized and well-developed healthcare system, which meets international standards. Access to medical services is limited in Zambia, especially in rural areas. Therefore, Zambian patients come to India to avail themselves of medical facilities of the highest quality, which may not be readily available locally.  
• Expert Medical Professionals: Indian doctors, nurses, and paramedics undergo extensive training in their respective fields. Several obtain further qualifications from renowned institutions in North America, Europe, etc. As a result, Zambian patients coming to India are in safe hands and are assured of receiving the finest services from Indian doctors.
• Cost of Treatment: The most appealing factor for Zambian patients is affordable treatment. The Indian healthcare system offers one of the most reasonable treatment options in the world without compromising the standard of treatment. For example, the average cost of a kidney transplant in India is USD 8,000 to USD 14,000, whereas in the United States of America, it costs approximately USD 442,500. Thus, coming to India for treatment is a much more feasible option for Zambian patients.
• Modern Infrastructure: Zambian patients coming to India can receive various treatments at Indian hospitals, including neurosurgery, oncology, joint replacements, and many more. Hospitals are well-equipped with multiple treatment modalities, from basic diagnostic procedures like X-rays to the latest advancements like robotic surgeries. Thus, patients do not need to run from one place to another to get their treatment done, adding to their convenience.
• Accreditation: Indian hospitals are required to maintain the strictest standards of care. They are regularly monitored by international and national organizations such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH). India has 55 JCI-accredited and over 1,300 NABH-accredited hospitals providing top-notch medical services to Zambian patients.

Other Reasons Why India is the Go-to Medical Tourism Destination for Zambian Patients

Adding to the reasons related to healthcare, there are several other factors why Zambian patients come to India for medical treatment:

• Convenient Travel: Over the years, the Indian government has eased visa restrictions for Zambian nationals to boost medical tourism in India. Moreover, the average flight time from Lusaka to India is slightly over eight hours. Several major airlines frequently run flights between the two countries. The Zambian capital, Lusaka, is well-connected to major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
• Hospitality and Patient Comfort: Indians are famous worldwide for their hospitable nature, which is also seen in the healthcare sector. Medical professionals are known to treat Zambian patients with respect and professionalism. Indian hospitals leave no stone unturned in providing comfort to Zambian patients. English is Zambia's official language and is widely spoken in India, too. As a result, there is no communication gap between doctors and their patients.
• Advanced Treatments: The Indian healthcare system is growing rapidly, and innovations are regularly introduced by merging technology with medicine. As a result, new-age treatment options such as minimally invasive and robotic surgeries have become more accessible and affordable to Zambian patients in India.
• Medical Tourism Services: Several medical tourism companies have cropped up in India that provide Zambian patients with end-to-end healthcare packages. These medical tourism facilitators help patients with logistics and planning, such as traveling, visa processing, hospital selection, accommodation, language and cultural assistance, and other decision-making. They also take care of the patient's post-treatment needs, such as consultation via telecommunication and emergency support.
• Availability of Doctors: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the ideal doctor-patient ratio for a country should be 1:1000. Zambia's ratio stands at 1:12000, which means it faces a critical shortage of doctors. Conversely, the ratio in India is 1:834, which means doctors are readily available in India to treat Zambian patients.

Which Medical Specialties Are Most Commonly Opted For By Zambian Patients?

Indian hospitals are equipped to treat all diseases by highly qualified doctors in various specialties. Zambian patients often come to India to seek treatment in specialties such as:

Oncology

• According to the Zambian Cancer Society (ZCS), cancer is one of the most prevalent disorders faced by Zambian patients. 
• In adults, cervical, breast, eye, and gastric cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are seen commonly, whereas in children, bone and soft tissue sarcomas and Kaposi's sarcoma are seen frequently. 
• Indian oncologists are proficient in providing cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. 
• Moreover, these procedures are available at a much more reasonable price than in Zambia.
• New-age treatments such as linear accelerator (LINAC) and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR T-cell therapy) are also gaining traction in India.

Cardiology

• Zambian patients with heart disorders regularly travel to India to seek treatments such as pacemaker implantations, bypass surgeries, angioplasties, and valve repair and replacements. 
• Indian cardiac surgeons have also gained expertise in modern procedures such as interventional cardiology, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic cardiac surgery.

Organ Transplantation

• India has emerged as a hub of organ transplant procedures, ranking third in the world, only behind the United States of America and China. 
• These transplants are conducted at an affordable cost and have shown high success rates. 
• While the liver and kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs, Zambian patients travel to India to get heart and lung transplants as well.

Orthopedics

• Indian orthopedic surgeons regularly perform procedures such as joint replacements, arthroscopy, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction for Zambian patients. 
• Robotic hip and knee replacement surgeries are highly sought-after orthopedic treatments by Zambian patients coming to India. 
• The integration of technological advancements such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI) has further raised the standards of orthopedic care in India.

Other Treatments Sought By Zambian Patients in India

Along with cancer treatment, cardiovascular surgeries, joint replacements, and organ transplantations, Zambian patients travel to India to get treatment from other specialties such as -

• Bone Marrow Transplant: The price of a bone marrow transplant in Zambia starts at USD 57,000, and in the United States of America, it starts at USD 80,000. On the contrary, the BMT cost in India starts at just USD 18,000. As a result, Zambian patients needing a bone marrow transplant to treat disorders such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), amyloidosis, and aplastic anemia prefer traveling to India for treatment. 
• Spine Surgery: Indian spine surgeons are skilled at performing procedures such as microdiscectomy, spine fusion, kyphoplasty, artificial disc replacement, and scoliosis surgery. The cost for these treatments in India is USD 1,300 to USD 7,000, whereas in developed countries like the USA, it can go up to USD 1,00,000 to USD 1,50,000. The reasonable cost and high success rates are significant reasons for Zambian patients to come to India for spine surgeries.
• Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery: Zambian patients frequently travel to India for high-quality, safe, and affordable plastic and cosmetic surgical procedures. Breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, and tummy tuck are some of the surgical treatments Zambian patients opt for when coming to India.
• Ophthalmology: Indian ophthalmologists have been treating eye disorders through procedures such as cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, squint eye surgery, and corneal surgery with superior skill and expertise. With modern treatments like LASIK, PRK, SBK, and Contoura Vision showing over a 98% success rate, India has become a popular destination among Zambian patients seeking eye surgeries.

Best Hospitals in India for Zambian Patients

India has a large number of NABH and JCI-accredited hospitals from which Zambian patients can choose. Some of the top hospitals in India are:

• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
• Gleneagles HealthCity, Chennai
• Nanavati-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai
• Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi
• Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai
• Gleneagles BGS Hospital Kengeri, Bengaluru
• Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi

Indian Medical Visa for Zambian Patients: Documents Required, Eligibility Criteria and Other Information

Zambian patients who wish to travel to India for medical treatment must obtain an Indian medical visa to enter India. 

What are the Documents Required for Visa Application?

Zambian nationals have to submit the following documents while applying for an Indian medical visa - 

• Printed copy of the visa application form filled completely with accurate information
• Zambian passport with at least six months of validity remaining
• Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white background
• Photocopy of the passport's bio-page with the patient's date of birth, residence, and passport validity
• Driver's license or utility bills as proof of residence
• Reference letter from the local hospital that outlines the patient's medical issue and treatment as needed
• Official invitation letter from the Indian hospital corroborating the patient details, doctor's information, and treatment plan
• A visa invitation letter (VIL) from the concerned Indian hospital
• Relevant medical records such as diagnostic test results and final diagnosis
• A bank statement or salary certificate to prove that patients can sustain themselves in India during the duration of the treatment
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
• Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) Certificate
• Confirmed return tickets to Zambia

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

Zambian patients can apply for an Indian medical visa only if they fulfill the following criteria - 

• The patient's primary reason for traveling to India must be to receive medical care.
• The Indian hospital that Zambian patients choose to visit must be recognized by the government and accredited.
• At most, two family members or associates can accompany the patient, and they are required to apply for a separate medical attendant visa.
• Zambian patients coming to India must have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate and an Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) Certificate obtained at least two weeks before the travel date.

What is the Validity of the Indian Medical Visa?

• The Indian medical visa for Zambian patients is valid for up to one year from the date of issuance.
• It is a triple-entry visa, meaning the patient can enter India thrice within the validity period.

What are the Processing Fees and Time Required for the Indian Medical Visa?

• The visa processing fees for Zambian patients for the Indian medical visa are as follows- 
• Visa with validity up to six months: ZMK 1800
• Visa with a validity of six months to one year: ZMK 2660
• The processing time for the Indian medical visa for Zambian patients is two to three working days.

What is the Procedure to Obtain an Indian Medical Visa?

The process followed by Zambian patients to obtain an Indian medical visa is as follows - 

• Consultation at a Zambian Hospital: The patient first consults with a doctor at a local hospital. The doctor conducts diagnostic tests, gives a precise diagnosis, and curates a treatment plan. Based on the diagnosis, the patient is then recommended to obtain treatment in India.
• Choosing a Hospital in India: According to the diagnosis, the patient can thoroughly research the hospitals and services in India. They can then make an informed decision that fits their needs, budget, and other factors.
• Applying for the Visa: The patient must submit a visa application form and other required documents to the authorities. This process can be completed online or in person.
• Visa Approval: The officials thoroughly review the patient's documents and initiate visa processing. Once approved, the patient is granted a medical visa and can travel from Zambia to India for treatment.

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

• The processing fees must be placed directly in the Indian High Commission's account in Zambia.
• Patients can pay through a debit card, but cheques and bank transfers are not permitted.
• Patients must register with the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within fourteen days of arrival.
• The Indian medical visa can be extended under particular circumstances if the patient submits relevant documents.
• The FRRO must recommend the patient for a visa extension, and the Ministry of Home Affairs must approve it.

Conclusion

The Zambian healthcare system is evolving, but limitations like shortage of doctors and high treatment costs still prevail. In this situation, Indian hospitals have emerged as a ray of hope for Zambian patients. They can easily access safe, affordable, and high-quality treatments in India. As India grows as a medical tourism destination, many more Zambian patients are expected to reap the benefits in the future.

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