On September 2015, James Kariuki had a massive heart attack. It was crucial for him to have a bypass surgery and so he travelled to India from Nairobi, Kenya. By October end, his bypass surgery was successful and he was, thus, cured.
But choosing a hospital has not been easy for Kariuki and neither is it for anyone travelling from abroad to India for their treatment. It is obvious that India provides quality medical treatment at affordable rates but there are some factors which the patients should consider while travelling for their treatment.
Hospital Review
It is mandatory to go through several hospital reviews while taking a decision as to in which hospital you want to treat yourself or your loved ones in India. It is because through the reviews you can actually compare which hospital is better and which is not. That makes it easy for you to choose. You can go for Google reviews and also keep an eye on Google news to know which hospital is best for you.
Doctors
The most important thing that you have to consider while selecting a hospital is to check the specialization, qualification and experience of the doctors working in those hospitals. When you are travelling from one place to another to subsequently recover from an illness, then you will have to be sure that the one who will be treating you is trustworthy. For this reason you will have to be well-informed about your doctor. It is, therefore, necessary to go through the doctor’s profiles and reviews.
Location
The other important thing that you should keep in mind is the proximity of the hospital from the international airport. It is because during emergencies, transportation of the patient has to be quick and comfortable. It is always a better option if the hospital is within your city or near the place where you are accommodated, especially at a close proximity to the international airport of that city.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the hospital is also very important. You wouldn’t want to treat yourself in a hospital that is unhygienic and lacks the newest medical technologies and instruments. The rooms, the hygiene, the beds and the newest technologies that are adopted by the hospital, the number of emergency units and ICU beds should be taken into consideration. Furthermore, you should also see if there is the availability of 24/7 pharmacies within or near the hospital. Also check the availability of WIFI in the hospitals so that the patient as well as his / her attendant can communicate with their family and friends peacefully.
Treatment
While selecting a hospital, always go through the list of treatments that the hospitals provide to their patients. Also check how advanced they are in the specific treatments and the medical instruments and machines that are used for it. Look for accreditations of the hospital and check whether it is a multispecialty hospital that incorporates primary, secondary and tertiary care.
Access to Blood Banks
Having an access to the blood bank is one of the most essential things that every hospital should have. Even if the surgery is successful, due to excessive blood loss, a life may be lost. So, while selecting a hospital, check whether they have access to blood banks.
Medical Insurance
Before travelling from one place to another for medical treatment, it is very important to go through the medical insurance policies and the hospitals that come under them. Go through your medical insurance policies thoroughly to check the facilities that will be provided and the hospitals and the ailments that are covered under them.
Amenities
One of the most important things that you have to keep in mind while you are travelling to India or, in that case, anywhere in the world, is the easy availability of hotels, food and transport. Look for residential options and guest houses or rented accommodations near the hospital where you can stay and commute easily. That way your transport costs can be curbed and there will be no security or transport issues. If you don’t get an accommodation near the hospital, then book cabs to travel. Ola app or Uber app can be very helpful in these cases. You just have to download the app in your phone and use it.
Furthermore, you should also check the availability of ATMs and money transfer facilities like Western Union and Money Gram in the vicinity of the airport or the hospital or where you are accommodated.
You will find the following useful: Top Apps and Websites to know during your stay in India.
Interpreter
Though the Indian doctors don’t have any problem in communicating in English, interpreters are available at hospitals. Hence, if you face any problem to communicate, check whether the hospital provides an interpreter.
Airline Facilities
Check the airline facilities while you plan to come to India for your medical treatment. Enquire with the airport help desk of whether they provide wheelchairs and stretchers for the patients. You should also get a know-how of whether there are doctors and paramedics available in the airport. While travelling by air you should also check the flight connectivity as it can be difficult for the patients with chronic ailments to travel by air.
These ten factors not only tell you what to do while choosing a hospital but also guide you how to make the correct choice. So, if you keep them in mind, then choosing the right hospital won't be a problem.
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