Medical tourism is the practice of travelling outside the country to seek medical treatment. The desire for high-quality healthcare services, cutting-edge medical infrastructure, and affordable treatment alternatives has been a major factor in the recent growth of this phenomena. For medical tourism India, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia have emerged as leading destinations. Additionally, these countries attract patients from all over the world due to their world-class hospitals, highly skilled medical professionals, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and more affordable prices when compared to western countries.

Medical tourism has become a practice among affluent neighbourhoods. This particular category of people believe that they are guaranteed to receive the top-notch medical treatment, best and updated services, and the utmost medical care. Based on a report, published in a national newspaper, around 800,000 Bangladeshis are believed to travel abroad annually for medical treatment, spending over $5 billion. According to a report by Prothom Alo, 51 per cent of these patients go to India, 20 per cent to Thailand, 20 per cent to Singapore, 3 per cent to UK, 2 per cent to Japan and Malaysia, and 1 per cent in China and UAE. Analysis has shown that disease diagnosis and health check-ups are the main drivers of medical tourism. According to a survey analysing data on Bangladeshi medical tourists visiting India, the majority of these patients receive cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, kidney treatment, and Phaco surgery. The burning question that arises is why didn't they choose to stay and get treated in Bangladesh?

Many can argue that the hospitals in Bangladesh lack proper infrastructure, efficient medical professionals, or even quality equipment. Contrary to popular belief, Bangladesh has a growing number of state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics, equipped with cutting-edge technology. Advanced diagnostic tools, minimally invasive procedures, and specialised care units are now readily available. Bangladesh currently has two hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) — a globally recognised standard for healthcare quality — this marks a step forward in aligning with international healthcare benchmarks. Additionally, the rise of e-health services has improved accessibility by reducing long waiting times and minimising consultation costs, making quality healthcare more convenient for patients. While the allure of foreign medical facilities once dominated the landscape, the country now offers world-class treatment options at competitive costs. Medicine price in Bangladesh is currently among the lowest in the world, with production cost being 10 to 15 per cent lower than neighbouring India/China.

The number of patients seeking treatment for a variety of diseases, particularly those relating to the heart and kidneys, has significantly increased in Bangladesh over the last 10 years. With a projected requirement for 25,000 to 30,000 procedures annually, the number of cardiac surgeries has climbed nearly 9 per cent year on year, since 2019. As heart disease becomes increasingly common, more people need complicated operations like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which is reflected in the increase in patients seeking cardiac treatment. In a similar vein, a greater percentage of people are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), with an estimated 16 to 22 per cent experiencing various stages of the illness, and 200-250 people per million experiencing end-stage kidney failure annually.

As Bangladesh's healthcare sector continues to evolve, one of the most compelling reasons to seek treatment within the country is cost-effectiveness. While medical tourism often comes with a hefty price tag, Bangladeshi hospitals offer advanced treatments at substantially lower costs, without compromising on quality. For example, the average cost of angioplasty in Bangladesh is approximately 17 per cent lower compared to neighbouring countries. Not only that, when patients are travelling abroad, they also need to bear additional expenses such as living, commuting, food and many others, which can be financially crippling for the bearer.

Beyond affordability, Bangladesh has also earned global recognition for its medical achievements. Harvard Professor Sue Goldie credited Bangladesh for reducing under-five child mortality by 80 per cent, the highest decline in South Asia. The country has also made remarkable progress in the healthcare sector, including a life expectancy of 73 years, maternal mortality falling to 173 per 100,000 live births, and under-five mortality of 31 per 1,000 live births (Hassan et al., 2016; Perry & Chowdhury, 2024). Moreover, the country has achieved significant milestones through MDG 4, resulting in reduced child deaths within 2015.

At the heart of this progress lies a highly qualified pool of healthcare professionals, trained through rigorous, internationally recognised medical education programs. The MBBS program in Bangladesh spans five years, followed by a compulsory one-year internship, ensuring hands-on experience under expert supervision. As a result, Bangladesh has become a preferred destination for international students seeking quality medical education at an affordable cost. In the 2022-2023 academic year, public medical colleges allocated 216 seats for foreign students, with 117 reserved for SAARC countries and 99 for non-SAARC countries. Private medical colleges also play a significant role in allocating up to 45 per cent of their seats to international students.

In recent years, Bangladeshi hospitals have successfully performed complex procedures, such as deep brain stimulation surgeries, and liver transplants. One notable case involved a Bhutanese girl who underwent a successful nose reconstruction surgery in Bangladesh — a procedure that India was unable to provide. These breakthroughs highlight the country's growing medical expertise and its ability to deliver world-class healthcare solutions.

Healthcare insurance, global standard accreditation, and private tertiary hospitals can greatly improve Bangladesh's healthcare system by enhancing accessibility and service quality. Only about 1 per cent of the population is covered by health insurance, presenting an opportunity for expansion. Accreditation can raise care standards, while private hospitals are already leading in advanced medical services. These factors can help meet rising healthcare demands and improve patient outcomes in Bangladesh.