8 important things to do before medical treatment abroad

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With the global medical tourism market galloping at a compounded rate of 19% , one thing is amply clear. A large number of the world’s population is embarking on overseas journeys to recuperate from afflictions and heal themselves, the treatment of which might not be accessible in their country of origin.

So if you are someone who is planning to take the journey abroad for treatment or are just about to leave for your voyage, this post will be the most relevant for you, helping you ensure that you have a seamless travel experience and draw the maximum healthcare benefit out of your travel. In any case, you really do not want to reach the airport to find that your passport is just about to expire or has less than the stipulated blank pages

So here is a list of 8 important things to do before embarking on medical treatment abroad.

One: Consult your local / family doctor before you take the flight

It is crucial that you turn to your local healthcare expert and brief him comprehensively of your pre-existing condition as well as your reason for travelling abroad for medical treatment. This will help the doctor assess your state and, most importantly, prepare you for the flight ahead, right up to the time you enroll into the hospital. This is especially crucial for patients suffering from respiratory, cardiac, bariatric and neuro-surgical disorders who are vulnerable and might require medication and appropriate preparatory treatment for embarking on the journey. It would also be wise to arrange for follow-up care with your doctor, as any complication post arrival (the chances of which are rare) can be addressed with speed and surety.

It is always wise to keep your local doctor up-to-date with your medical condition – both before and after travel.

Two: Ensure that your passport and visa is in proper order

A visa is a must if you are seeking medical treatment in reputed / recognized specialized hospitals or treatment centers abroad. In some countries like India, the validity of the passport must be 6 months beyond stay with at least two blank passport pages available. For patients who are minors, they have to sign their name inside the signature box in the visa application form or if they are too small, they must have their thumbprint stamped inside the box. To grant a visa, some countries also demand proof of sufficient funds with recent bank statements needing to be submitted along with the visa application form. Moreover, for India, family members or relatives of the applicant also require Medical Attendant visas for travel.

Visas are a must if travelling overseas for seeking medical treatment in specialized hospitals. In India, a medical visa is a must for being allowed to travel to the country for treatment purposes. Since the issue of medical visas requires proper documentation, early planning can ensure seamless and hassle-free grant of visas.

Three: Get your medical records properly arranged and filed

All your medical records must be arranged and properly documented for ease in retrieval. Ideally, the patient’s historical medical records must be photocopied for ease in referencing in case the original copies are lost. Certain types of medical documents, such as non-prescriptive ones like CT scans, must be carefully preserved because they are costly and getting them again can be time-consuming. It is also advisable to prepare copies of prescriptions of all the medicines you take and note product details such as medicine brand name, generic name, dosages, etc. The brand names of medicines differ from country to country and this documentation can come especially handy in case of travel overseas.

Take time out in properly arranging all your medical records and documents because they will be required multiple times during your travel.

Four: Get a one-point contact at the destination hospital

It is imperative for the patient to keep up a constant dialogue with the destination hospital, trying to assimilate as much information as possible. Though doctors at the destination hospital will certainly be well-aware of your medical past and the treatment required before you arrive, maintaining a continual exchange of information will not only help build familiarity but will also prepare you well of what to expect. Doctor appointments and procedure bookings must be done in advance to ensure minimal waiting as well as minimal hospital stay, while also helping you save ancillary costs. Getting a one-point contact at the destination hospital is a must after you have shortlisted the most appropriate one for your treatment.

Build as much familiarity as possible with the destination hospital because, being a foreign patient, it will help you acclimatize with your new environment faster, which will have a direct bearing on your healing process.

Five: Appropriate logistical arrangements can save you time and money and earn you peace-of-mind

For your journey from your home to the airport, ensure that a proper vehicle or, in extreme cases, an ambulance, is available to reach you to the airport. If you live in a remote location and have to take multiple flights to reach your final destination, it is advisable to book your journey on a single airline as they will take care of your onward journey in case of delays or cancellations. As time is of essence, book your tickets such that the waiting period between journeys is minimal. Also, intimate the airline staff of your condition and they will ensure that your journey is as smooth as possible. Moreover, do speak with the destination hospital for airport pickup post arrival. It is also important to understand if medical evacuation is possible in the event the patient is stranded by unforeseen circumstances like earthquakes.

A wheelchair is a boon for passengers with medical conditions and pre-booking a wheelchair is a must for the airline staff to arrange one. Remember, doing so will save you a lot of hassles later on.

Six: Ensure that payment arrangements are in place

It is important for you to consider the most suitable payment options as well as the currency exchange rates, especially since you will be dealing with foreign currency. Hence, careful planning is required for money exchange, which can be done either in the country of origin or at the destination with money exchangers usually available within the airport itself. However, there is a cap on how much forex one can carry while travelling abroad and hence it is most advisable to either carry a pre-loaded / pre-paid card or even a credit card, which is universally acceptable. Have an alternative cash arrangement backup to fall back on in case of emergencies.

It is most advisable to carry extra money, over and above of your projected treatment expenditure, as doing so will help you face emergencies or unforeseen cash shortages.

Seven: Keep your important medical information handy

It is advisable to keep your important medical records and contact information in your purse or hand luggage. This can ensure quicker and adequate responses in case of exigencies. Be particularly careful to not pack medical records, prescriptions or other important contact information in the checked-in luggage as these can be lost or delayed, thereby putting your treatment squarely at risk. It is also essential for you to adequately preserve your medicines to prevent leakages and seepages while keeping the integrity of the product quality intact, especially for long-haul flights.

It is always a good idea to carry extra quantity of important dosages in hand as well as keeping your important medical information handy and easily accessible.

Eight: Give yourself some breathing space

Do not rush on things. It is always a good idea to give yourself time, it is always good to relax and be calm. This can have a tremendous impact to help you heal faster and get you back on your feet again. Is is also good to have a confidante with whom you can speak your mind and consult freely – we all have such a figure in our lives with whom we can talk without inhibitions. Most importantly, it is important to maintain positivity, which can do wonders for you.

Don’t jump to quick conclusions. Take your time, give yourself some space and think of going back to your life when you arrive back home – fully fit and raring to go!

For adding to patient convenience and ensuring that their journey is smooth and trouble-free, there are a number of companies that combine their network strength to provide all the support that he / she needs while travelling abroad. These services can include logistical and visa arrangements, health and travel insurance, hospital selection and bookings, doctor appointments, payment solutions, medical evacuation in emergency cases, etc. But remember to choose a service provider who has a strong track record and can produce quality patient referrals.

Best of luck!

GD Assist to patronize Bangladesh Business Mission to Turkey 2018 ( BBMT 2018 )

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As an initiative to develop trade and Investment between Bangladesh and Turkey, EXPOPRO (Center for Business Development & Communications) of Bangladesh, which is a private Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) in collaboration with GOODSOURCE, ADSL and GDASSIST have organized the “Bangladesh Business Mission to Turkey 2018 (BBMT 2018)” with the support of Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara, Bangladesh Consulate General in Istanbul and Turkish Embassy in Dhaka to attend couple of Trade Shows in Istanbul and Konya during 15 to 21 April 2018. The main objective of this Business Mission is to explore Turkey as a reliable and effective source and target of diversified products & services and creating scope for making wide network for the Turkish Businessmen with the Bangladeshi Business Communities.

This Business Mission will also provide a great scope and avenue to the Businessmen, Visitors and Professionals from Bangladesh to explore Turkey as the preferred source/destination for Yarn, Textiles & Apparel, Construction & Furniture/Interior Items and Tourism etc. 1st “Bangladesh Business Mission to Turkey 2017 (BBMT 2017)” was organized for a group of Bangladeshi Businessmen to attend couple of events in Istanbul during 27 to 31 October 2017 with the support from Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara, Bangladesh Consulate General in Istanbul and Turkish Embassy in Dhaka successfully.

Besides visiting the Trade Shows at Tuyap Exhibition and Congress Centre and CNR Expo, Istanbul, the BBMT 2017 Delegation visited Factories, Clients and had couple of B2B Meetings with some local Chambers/Foundation/Businessmen of Turkey, which includes MUSIAD, TUMSIAD, Marmara Group Foundation, etc. After successfully completed BBMT 2017, BBMT 2018 has been initiated and we hope that with the participation of a good number of Bangladeshi Delegates, the business mission will be accomplished with a great success. Besides visiting the Trade Shows at different places in Istanbul and Konya, field and factory visit will also be arranged based on the request and availability of the business communities. A colorful souvenir will be published on this occasion and will be distributed in various places in Turkey and Bangladesh. EXPOPRO News will also publish a special supplement to mark the occasion.

 

Registration Fees: BDT 5O,OO0/- ( Taka Fifty Thousand Only, Non Refundable and open till 28 February 2018)

(Registration Fees Includes: Event Registration with VISA Invitation, Publishing Delegate’s Profile in the Event Souvenir etc)

 

Delegation Fees:

Group-A (4D/3N): BDT 2,00,000/- (Taka Two Lac Only)

(Delegation Fees includes: Single Entry VISA Fees, Medical insurance, Economy Class Dhaka-Istanbul-Dhaka Return Air Ticket, Four Star Category Accommodation for 3 Nights on Twin Sharing Basis, Local Transportations, Foods, Other Logistics, Half-Day Sightseeing and One Page Free Advertisement in the Event Souvenir)

 

Group-B (5D/4N): BDT 2,25,000/- (Taka Two Lac Twenty Five Thousand Only)

(Delegation Fees includes; Single Entry VISA Fees, Medical Insurance, Economy Class Dhaka-Istanbul-Konya Istanbul-Dhaka Return Air Ticket, Four Star Category Accommodation for 4 Nights on Twin Sharing Basis, Local Transportations, Foods, Other Logistics, Half-Day Sightseeing and One Page Free Advertisement in the Event Souvenir)

 

Group-C (6D/5N), Both Events (A+B): BDT 2,50,000/- (Taka Two Lac Fifty Thousand Only)

(Delegation Fees includes; Single Entry VISA Fees, Medical insurance, Economy Class Dhaka-lstanbul-Konya-lstanbul-Dhaka Return. Air Ticket, Four Star Category Accommodation for 5 Nights on Twin Sharing Basis, Local Transportations, Foods, Other Logistics, Hatf-Day Sightseeing and One Page Free Advertisement in the Event Souvenir)

Group-A: Events in Istanbul, Turkey (Venue: Tuyap Exhibition and Congress Center, Istanbul)

1. ISTANBUL YARN FAIR 2018 (14 to 17 April 2018)

(Textiles, Apparel and Fashion Fair)

2. HIGHTEX 2018 (14 to 17 April 2018)

(Textiles, Apparel and Fashion Fair)

Group-B: Events in Konya, Turkey (Venue: Tuyap Konya lnternational Fair Center, Konya)

  1. KONYA FURNITURE, DECORATION AND IDEAL HOME FAIR 2018 (19 to 22 April 2018)

(Furniture, Interior Architecture, Decoration, White line Goods, Home Textile, Home Electronics and Accessories Fair)

  1. KONYA CONSTRUCTION FAIR 2018 (19  to 22 April 2o18)

(Construction, Construction and Works Machinery, Heating, Cooling, Air Conditioning, Installation and Natural Gas Technologies Fair)

  1. KONYA REAL ESTATE FAIR 2018 (19 to 22 April 2018)

(Residential, Commercial, Land, Investment and Financing Fair)

  1. KONYA URBAN 2018 (19 to 22 April 2018)

(Municipal Necessities, Urban Furnishings, Landscaping, Fire Engines and Fire Safety Fair)

 

Impact of medical tourism– social, economic and political

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Arafin Hossain is a strapping young man who takes his 56-year-old father every year to Singapore for a comprehensive medical checkup. Ayesha Alam often accompanies her aunt to India to consult a specialty hospital in the southern part of the country for an orthopedic ailment. There are patients from Pakistan who regularly seek the assistance of the External Affairs Ministry of the Government of India for expediting their medical visas as they seek state-of-the-art treatment options in the country. There are also many instances of Indian patients travelling to Thailand for medical purposes, for instance for cosmetic surgeries, while also combining a vacation and some ‘time-off’. It is clear hence that with such strong cross-border movement of patients for the purpose of medical tourism, the industry is here to stay and flourish.

Indeed, the medical tourism industry is one of the few such industries globally to have a holistic impact – not only on the wellbeing of the patient but on the social, economic and political wellbeing of a nation as well.

 The social impact of medical tourism: Strong employment creation + Stronger healthcare infrastructure

The healthcare industry is among the highest employment creators the world over with a multiplier effect on the other industries too in terms of job creation. For instance, a state-of-the-art hospital, with an army of doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff, will also give impetus to the pharmaceutical and surgical equipment industries. Hence, the healthcare ecosystem of a nation that positions itself as a medical value destination can provide a further impetus to its employment generation capacity when patients from all over the world come for drawing medical benefits offered by it.

It is often said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Hence, the country that has come to create a reputation in quality healthcare will focus on staying at the cutting-edge of medical innovation and progress, which can benefit its own citizens too in terms of providing them with access to quality healthcare services at affordable costs. With this, as awareness about healthcare rises, there will be a predisposition towards preventive healthcare that can not only augment the resource productivity of a nation but also help it reduce its healthcare budget, thereby having a strong social impact.

Medical tourism can drive a robust social multiplier effect on a nation in terms of enhancing employment generation as well as fostering a culture of innovation and advancement in the field of healthcare and medicine.

The economic impact of medical tourism: Strong contribution to GDP growth + Stronger impact on healthcare, travel and tourism industries

With a healthy consolidated growth of about 19% (compounded) projected for the global medical tourism industry, the size of the sector in most of the medical value destinations the world over is expected to rise sharply in the future. Take the instance of India. The size of the Indian medical tourism industry is valued at about USD 3-billion and is expected to surge to USD 8-billion by 2020. Similarly, the valuation of the Malaysian medical tourism industry is expected to grow to USD 3.5-billion by 2024 with a sharp surge expected in patients coming from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and India. In a similar vein, the Thai medical tourism industry surpassed the USD 4.6-billion mark in 2016, led by an upwelling in patients from Japan and the Middle East, among others. With a significant market size and even more significant growth potential, the medical tourism industry strongly contributes to the economic growth of a country, in addition to having a multiplier impact on other allied sectors.

The medical tourism industry has a robust bearing on the travel and tourism industries as patients travel by air and prefer to stay back post treatment for relaxation, leisure and sight-seeing. In several cases, reputed hospitality destinations also offer comprehensive wellness and rejuvenation packages that include yoga, meditation and other leisure therapies that a patient can avail of. Particularly, in a large and diverse medical market like India, patients can have several leisure options available to them in terms of seaside, mountain and forest getaways. Hence, in many cases, patient spends are not just restricted to those on healthcare even as they maximize their visit by spending on travel and tourism too.

Patients going to Thailand, for instance, would also like to spend a few days sightseeing and touring the country post treatment, especially its pristine beaches and bustling markets. Hence, medical tourism not only contributes to the economic growth of a nation but to those of a country’s travel and tourism industries too.

The political impact of medical tourism: Strong political associations + Stronger developmental relationships

It is a fact that a number of young Pakistani infants afflicted by grave diseases are recuperating in Indian hospitals. This is a heartwarming humanitarian instance of how countries are transcending their geo-political differences and legacy issues to create an unsurpassed goodwill among their neighbouring country’s citizens. The Indian Government’s Ministry of External Affairs regularly receives requests from the parents of children suffering from serious afflictions and takes up the cause for the requisite visas to be issued expeditiously. With the globalization of the medical tourism industry, it has the power to reshape cultural ties among nations and create stronger political associations for the greater humanitarian good in the true spirit of diplomatic altruism.

The deep political impact of medical tourism can also be gauged from the fact that as the patient traffic increases between countries, dialogue and communication increases, thus leading to higher levels of cooperation and creating stronger developmental bonds and relationships. The medical tourism industry has also fostered cordial relations between nations that has helped advance the exchange of ideas and insights that have benefitted all the stakeholders in the ecosystem. This also leads to improved human rights regulations and safety of travellers in destination countries.

Medical tourism paves the way towards mutually-beneficial political ties between nations, thus nurturing the healthcare developmental manifesto in specific and global progress and advancement in general.

Thus, it is amply clear that the medical tourism industry provides a global and holistic multiplier impetus that few other industries can. Moreover, emerging nations can leverage the value of medical tourism to ensure inclusive growth while also projecting their image as a socialist state.

Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim A Wahid talks about how to beat Cancer

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Dato’ Dr Mohamed Ibrahim A Walid is the Consultant Clinical Oncologist from Beacon Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a specialist in CyberKnife Radiosurgery & SBRT, IMRT/ IGRT. He got “Excellence Service Award” from University Malaya Medical Center. He has over 40 publications, journals, local and international conferences in Oncology. He is also the Vice President of College of Radiology.

GD Assist works with top International Hospitals and acts as a one stop solution for all the health care needs required when traveling for treatment there.

Malaysia HealthCare Expo 2017 reflects new ray of hope

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GD Assist works with top International Hospitals and acts as a one stop solution for all the health-care needs required when traveling for treatment there.

The Malaysia Healthcare Expo featured various exciting campaigns on healthcare travel to Malaysia, including health talks, Panel Discussion, free consultation sessions with specialists from Malaysia and As a part of the GD Assist- Malaysia Healthcare Week, we have participated in 5th Showcase Malaysia to be organized by Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries where Green Delta Insurance is the Gold Sponsor.
Bangladesh and Malaysia Healthcare have a long-standing relationship. It is an opportunity to enrich this relationship further by bringing more enhanced healthcare programs and offerings to the people of Bangladesh through Malaysia Healthcare Expo 2017. Health travelers from Bangladesh represent one of Malaysia Healthcare’s largest markets, for treatments in general surgery, gastroenterology, cardiology, fertility and urology, among others. 

About Healthcare in Malaysia: Malaysia has the right qualities for a medical destination of choice: world-class quality healthcare, easy accessibility and competitive affordability. It is also easy for travelers to communicate with health professionals in Malaysia, where English is widely spoken. Stringent regulations by the Ministry of Health ensure that the highest standards of quality and safety in healthcare dispensed are consistently upheld 

About Showcase Malaysia: “5th Showcase Malaysia 2017” is being organized by Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be held in Dhaka on 21-23 September, 2017 at the International Convention City Bashundhara with support from Malaysia organizations MATRADE & MASSA and in collaboration with the High Commissions in Both Countries.

GD Assist on World Thalassemia Day

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Though GD Assist was only launched in 2014, it has already begun following the footsteps of its mother organization, Green Delta Insurance Company, in conducting worthwhile CSR activities. The company observed World Thalassemia Day this year, 8th of May 2017, to both create awareness on the subject and perform their part as a socially responsible organization.

With increasing world awareness on the various medical problems plaguing society, corporations too have begun contributing towards relieving the pain of the masses. GD assist is in the business of providing value added services to the healthcare industry of Bangladesh. They have made receiving proper healthcare easier by acting as the one stop communication solution to receiving medical treatment. Being in the business of providing healthcare facilities, Thalassemia is naturally a closer concern for the company.

While statistics vary, as per World Health Organisation there are 7{7e077908c7bc2ea01483582585a246c16e5b2d9e20f22f8f0114408d8db76d2d} Thalassemia carriers in the country. For a population of 16 crore that is quite significant. Moreover, as most are ‘silent’ carriers a majority of these people do not even realize they are carrying the gene inside them making them ill prepared for future complications. Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder which is classified into two major types, alpha and beta, that are named after defects in the haemoglobin chains. Untreated, Thalassemia major can lead to multiorgan failure.

Keeping in mind the seriousness of the disease, GD Assist used this opportunity to organize blood camps in association with Bangladesh Thalassemia Institute in different corporate houses of Dhaka city. Blood donation is one of the greatest acts of charity and is one which is greatly needed as well. Extra blood is required for a number of medical procedures and thalassemia patients especially require regular blood transfusions. By providing a platform for blood donation, GD Assist had not only assisted the patients to whom this blood will bring a new life but the firm has also benefitted the corporate staff who were able to do social good through GD Assist’s initiative.

The firm also provided free consultation sessions to the employees of the different corporate houses in the city. The session was conducted by hematologist Dr. Itsara Anongjanya of Vejthani Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand which is one of GD Assist’s partner hospitals. During the session, the participants learned valuable facts and where able to clear out their queries and confusions on Thalassemia and other topics as well. Dr. Anongjanya also provided free consultation to children suffering from Thalassemia under GD Assist’s program. Needless to say, having a world renowned doctor provide feedback on their medical condition was a big help for the patients as it provided them a clearer perspective on their situation. Moreover, being children they learnt some valuable information regarding their situation from the program which perhaps they might not have had the chance to find out otherwise.

Social media plays a major role in our lives. It is undoubtedly the most effective medium for creating awareness as well as to interact with the wider audience. Making use of this innovation, GD Assist came up with an online event called – Thalassemia Challenge where people from different walks of life promised to donate blood to the Thalassemia Patients whenever required. GD Assist thereby created a group of prospective donors for Thalassemia patients to reach out to in times of need. The firm is also working on making a database for Thalassemia patients in association with Bangladesh Thalassemia Association and Quantum Foundation to make the reaching out easier and more systematic as well. Thalassemia patients require blood transfusions routinely and so this initiative by GD Assist will greatly provide relief to hospitals and patients who can easily find a donor through the database.

Several companies in Bangladesh still have not embraced the concept of doing charity wholeheartedly. More are increasingly entering the field every year. However, of the companies which do work towards building a strong CSR reputation, the thought put behind GD Assist’s World Thalassemia Day commemoration is notable as it targets specific sectors of the system that required intervention. The online database of prospective donors solves a big loophole in the system and by providing young patients with free consultations GD Assist had truly performed a generous deed.

The importance of knowing whether one is a silent carrier cannot be emphasized enough. While silent carriers aren’t themselves at risk generally, they do pass on the genes to their children who may suffer from this serious illness’s symptoms. The consultation session arranged by GD Assist for the corporate houses was thereby another important contribution to society.

World Thalassemia day this year was therefore quite a big success due to GD Assist’s contributions.  While companies are increasingly performing CSR, GD Assist’s initiative was highly valuable to the cause and each of their programs turned out to be very successful.

 

An employee from a renowned corporate house donating blood at Blood Camp Organized by GD Assist in association with Bangladesh Thalassemia Institute

 

Dr. Itsara Anongjanya, Hematologist from Vejthani Hospital, Bangkok providing free health advice regarding Thalassemia to the employees of a renowned corporate house, later he also provided one to one free health consultation.

Dr. Anongjanya providing free consultation to children suffering from Thalassemia 

A Thalassemia Patient of Bangladesh Thalassemia Institute 

A Brief About DR. GD

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Lets met Doctor GD he will assist you to achieve good health for you and your family. Please have a look at the following video for more details,

GD Assist works with top International Hospitals and acts as a one stop solution for all the health care needs required when traveling for treatment there.

Make your foreign medical treatment hassle free with GD Assist

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Medical Tourism, sometimes called “health tourism”, is the practice of traveling to another country to receive health care. Procedures abroad can offer a 30-80 savings, simply because the cost of living is less expensive. As healthcare turns costlier in developed countries, the medical market in developing countries is expected to grow remarkably. Cost-effective treatments, availability of inexpensive flights, increased marketing, and online consumer information are driving the market.

This has led to the emergence of several medical tourism corridors like India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia,Taiwan, Mexico and Costa Rica; with India having the second largest number of accredited facilities. Chennai, Mumbai, AP, and NCR are the favored medical tourism destinations in India.
The most common types of procedures pursued by patients include elective cosmetic surgery, dentistry, organ transplantation, cardiac surgery and orthopedic surgery.

More people are opting to receive medical treatment abroad rather than in their own countries because:
• Certain medical services are not available in their country of residence.
• Their health insurance does not cover the full cost of a procedure.
• Most people are unwilling to compromise their health just because the treatment costs are too high.

Medical Tourism in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a densely populated country. Health care ought to be one of the basic privileges of the community of the country. According to Bangladesh Economic Review 2010,990 person lives in per/sq. kilometer. Unfortunately, medical treatment is not easily available in Bangladesh for which each year a section of patients of the country visit foreign countries for medical ground that medical tourism is a term involving people who travel to a different place to receive treatment for a disease, ailment, or condition, and who are seeking lower cost of care, higher quality of care, better access to care, or different care than they could receive at home. A huge number of patients are visiting outside the country each year for medical purposes.

Currently Twenty- four public medical colleges and hospitals including Unani and Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medical colleges and hospitals were established in the country. In the private sector around fifty medical colleges and Hospitals. Besides there is one University was situated for medical treatment purposes. Recently some private medical hospitals with good qualities were established. But relatively their numbers are too scanty to meet the demands of a highly populated country. The world is in a healthcare crisis, given the ageing population, increasing cost and long waiting patients from developed countries as well as from poor countries such as Bangladesh. Low quality or absence of health care in these countries is making choice for patients who have been travelling to abroad. The Bangladesh government has declared Health Policy but it remains inadequate and ineffective.

Health policies and strategies are not working properly. Actually health sector of Bangladesh faces lack of good facilities both skilled manpower and physical infrastructure, ineffective and inefficient treatment, corruption in the health management, high costs, politics among the health service providers, disparity in production of drugs i.e. high-quality drugs and low-quality drug, lack of inter sector cooperation, etc.

Emergency preparation in the country is very much neglected ,organizational behavior of the health system in maximum hospitals and health centers is very much old dated, managerial process is not updated, community action is not properly developed, limited health research and technologies, Population agenda and Reproductive Health including family program of Bangladesh is not effective one.

Why People Go Abroad For Medical Treatment

1. Cost Effectiveness

Even though most medical tourists consider lower cost as one of the main benefits of medical tourism, but it is not the only factor responsible for its rapidly growing popularity. A major advantage of medical tourism is that the patient can travel to any destination of the world to get the best and most cost effective health care and treatment. The biggest benefactors are those patients, who are not able to avail and access specialized procedures, surgeries, doctors, and facilities like fertility treatment and alternative therapies, in their home country.

2. Quick Health Care

Moreover, individuals with nationalized health care services, like the Thailand and India, who don’t want to wait for medical treatment, are drawn towards health tourism owing to convenience and quick access to healthcare. The prospects of combining treatment with holiday for recuperating, is an added bonus for the patients. There can be nothing more pleasurable than recovering in a relaxing and
spending time in beautiful environment, lying on a beach, or shopping in luxury boutiques.

3. World Class Experts

Besides patients, those involved in medical tourism industry also benefit at large from it, as the health care providers/hospitals/doctors can become world class experts in their areas of specializations by having a wider patient base from all over the world, which in turn increases their profitability in the long run. Globalizing the opportunities for health care provision, medical tourism also contributes in the increasing flow of health information among doctors worldwide. This way, doctors and healthcare professionals gain knowledge about the latest development in the medical industry all over the world.

4. Advanced Equipment and Facilities

If you are tight on budget, then medical tourism is a sure shot way to get access to advanced equipment and facilities along with better personal care. It is much more affordable to avail luxurious hospital stay in foreign hospital than in the United States. In fact, many hospitals specializing in medical tourism are known to offer outstanding quality and services.

5. Quality Service

With the escalating competition among healthcare industry in various countries, hospitals and clinics are prompted to raise their quality standards to attract patients, which proves favorable for the local patients consecutively. Even though the quality standard may vary from country to country, which leaves many potential medical tourists in a dilemma, International accreditation of hospitals and clinics can restore the confidence of patients in this amazing
Benefits You Will Get if You Get Your Service Through GD Assist
GD Assist brings you the first one stop medical solution in Bangladesh where you can find all the medical facilities. From consultation & appointments at the best Hospitals, VISA, Ticketing, Accommodation & Transportation, GD Assist covers all aspects at discounting and affordable rates.

Currently GD Assist is providing their treatment in four countries which is, India, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore.
Their service includes,
• Pre-tour hospital evaluation
• Hospital booking and consultation of specialized doctors,
• Visa application and assistance,
• Tour ticketing and transportation,
• Postoperative and services.

GD Assist also ensures,

1. Affordability and Cost-effectiveness

The low cost of medical procedures, is the number one reason why people go offshore for medical treatments. The savings range between 30 and 80 of the cost that you would normally pay in the USA.
Due to the low prices of medical procedures and surgery abroad, some people worry that medical tourism might be fraud or a scam. The main reason behind the low prices of medical treatments abroad is the low cost of labor in the popular medical tourism destinations.
Although the treatments are cheap, in most cases surgical procedures are performed by well trained experts who are using top notch technology. In addition, the lower costs of malpractice, insurance and administration also contribute to the low prices of overseas medical procedures.

2. High-Quality Healthcare

Many of the doctors and surgeons that offer healthcare services to international patients are trained and certified in Western countries, such as United States and Great Britain. Medical centers all over the world have acquired accreditation from well known international organizations such as JCI, JCAHO and ISO to express their dedication to excellence.
Some institutes and medical centers are members of the NIH (National Institutes of Health), which is a federal agency that gives leadership and financial support to researchers in the field of medicine and health.

3. Immediate Service

Another advantage of medical tourism is the immediate access to health care services. For those who have come from countries with public health care systems, medical tourism offers them the chance to be placed on the priority list. When dealing with matters of health, waiting is not always an option.

4. Improved Flight and Communication Services

Most procedures performed abroad can be scheduled via the internet or by phone. People have the flexibility to book flights and schedule surgery procedures from the comfort of their own home. This eliminates the inconvenience of going to the hospital or clinic for evaluations and assessments. The only time a person has to leave their house is on the day or week of the surgery, or procedure.

5. Travel Opportunities

Even though medical tourism is about obtaining medical care, a side benefit of medical tourism is having the opportunity to travel to another country. For some medical tourists, especially those seeking dental care, cosmetic care or wellness treatments, these can enjoy the opportunity to travel overseas in addition to receiving less expensive healthcare.

6. Simple Procedure

With only four steps you can ensure your quality medical service. First, contact GD Assist for medical quarries and concerns which country is providing best service for your treatment.
Second, submit all the medical documents for hospital evaluation.
Third, confirm appointments with best doctors on hospital evaluation.
Finally, Proceed with VISA, Ticketing & Accommodation processing & travel.
Seeking medical treatment abroad can seem a daunting prospect. GD ASSIST is specialize in facilitating the process, taking care of arrangements such as access to clinics and specialists, travel, visas, accommodation and, in some cases, sight-seeing and leisure activities.

GD ASSIST: First 1 Stop Medical Tourism Solution in Bangladesh

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Going abroad for medical treatment is a big step for anyone. Especially when you haven’t been to other countries. You need make sure that proper documentations are sent to right people. You will also have to pre-check hospitals, doctors their reputation. It takes incredible amount of time to do all the processing. You need to consider many factors, not only that you also have to seriously consider your options and then finally need to make a decision.
Accommodations, safety, security, doctors, cost, reputation of medical institutions, level of advancements, treatment care are the main decision to make even before boarding on the plane. when setting off for a medical treatment abroad, especially to a new country.
GD Assist brings you the first one stop medical solution in Bangladesh where you can find all the medical facilities. From consultation & appointments at the best Hospitals, VISA, Ticketing, Accommodation & Transportation, GD Assist covers all aspects at discounting and affordable rates.
Currently GD Assist is providing one stop medical solution in three countries. They are Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. And in this blog post we will list down all the benefits GD Assist provides.

1. Pre-tour hospital evaluation:
The first thing to consider before making any decisions is check for hospitals and their doctors. Obviously, you will look for the best hospitals, best doctors with the right background to treat the disease you or your patients are looking treatments for.
GD Assist has contacts with popular hospitals in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. You can share your expectation with GD Assist experts and they will find you the best options. GD Assist is recognized as high selecting high performance hospitals overseas.

2. Hospital Appointment, Booking & Consultation:
Once you’ve selected the hospital you will need to make appointments, booking accordingly for proper consultation. GD Assist will be in touch with you to guide you through this step. People from GD Assis will ask you for preferred time schedule.
Then GD Assist will make the necessary calls as well as send necessary documents in regards for you to make an appointment beforehand. Once the appointment has been fixed. GD Assist will make sure you get the timely booking in order to present for consultation with the doctors.

3. VISA Application and Assistance:
GD Assist will also help you to process your VISA. Starting from preparing necessary treatment and visa documents to everything that are required for getting the VISA to go abroad. That means you will not have to waste your time to prepare documents and submitting them. GD Assist will advise and prepare documents such as – Medical certificates, Doctor referral certificates, hospital certificates, treatment documents for you. So that you can easily avail the VISA to go abroad for treatments.

4. Tour Ticketing & Transportation:
After you have selected hospitals and got VISA, you will then need to make sure transportation and ticketing. From tour ticketing to transportation GD ASSIST books the transportation and hotels as well. Even they provide guides for exploring the country as well. Each application package has an instruction guide. Use this guide to help you get your
application ready. It gives you tips on how to correctly fill out your forms, and instructions on how to submit your application.

5. Accommodation:
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, The problem most people face is accomodation. Usually you will opt in for hotels, but for small time health check you can not stay in hotels for longer period of time. It will cost you more than you can expect. GD Assist can help you to book hotels on your behalf. For major operation patients might stay in hospital but other family members can not afford to stay in hotels for long. GD Assist can help you to stay in rented house for family members of the patients. Even for hotel booking you can get special discount if you let GD Assist make the bookings for you. Keep in mind, that this not regular discount. You will be entitled for the discount only if GD Assist makes the booking for you.

6. Post- Operation & Service
During this whole process GD Assist will constantly be in touch with you. After operation once you have come back to home. GD Assist will suggest and sent documents to abroad hospitals for review if needed. If there is any monthly report submission, GD Assist will also advise and help you to submit the documents. GD Assist will call you for feedback regarding their service. Asking customers for feedback, product rating and suggestions on improvement show commitment to provide nothing but the best. Call customers once in a while to find out if they would want to try any of the other products offered by the company if they do then they provide the service in very discounting rate.
So in short the whole process through GD Assist one stop solution will look be – GD ASSIST is a one stop solution for medical solution in Bangladesh. You can rely on GD Assist for every step. Because they measure and compare the quality performance nationally and locally. Constantly striving to improve our performance. Always continue to monitor progress, share best practices, and evaluate advances in best practices and technology to maintain the highest standards of quality and safety in all service.