Indian Hospitals Bear Brunt of Bangladesh Unrest

Revenue from Bangladeshi patients fell 30-35% in FY25

- SHINE JACOB & SOHINI DAS

Political unrest in Bangladesh, the rise of a government seen as unfriendly to New Delhi, and worsening bilateral ties appear to have hit India's medical tourism sector hard. Revenues from Bangladeshi patients have declined by 30-35 per cent in 2024-25 (FY25). Bangladesh typically accounts for 70-75 per cent of all medical visas issued by India, analysts said.

Anuj Sethi, senior director at Crisil Ratings, told Business Standard: "Medical tourism revenues from patients in Bangladesh arriving in India for treatment are estimated to have dropped by 30-35 per cent in FY25 due to regime change and political unrest in Bangladesh, mainly in the first half of the year."

Hospital chains like Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (AHEL) and Manipal Hospitals took a revenue hit due to the sharp drop in footfall from Bangladesh, especially at centres in eastern and southern India.