Medical tourism gains traction as Fortis hosts Dhaka outreach event
Key players from the healthcare and travel industries took part in the event, signalling growing interest in cross-border treatment options for Bangladeshi patients
ATT Correspondent 
Bangladesh’s medical tourism sector is gaining fresh momentum as Fortis Healthcare stepped up engagement with local stakeholders through a health-focused discussion and iftar gathering in Banani Model Town.
The event, held last Tuesday at a city hotel, brought together key players from the healthcare and travel industries, signalling growing interest in cross-border treatment options for Bangladeshi patients, says a press release.
Speakers at the discussion highlighted rising demand for advanced medical care abroad, particularly in India, where hospitals are leveraging modern technology while offering comparatively affordable treatment packages.
Industry insiders say this mix continues to drive thousands of Bangladeshi patients to seek care overseas each year.
Among those present were Murad Imadi, President of the Bangladesh Medical Value Travel Association, and Md Firozul Islam, Chairman of the Medical Tourism Steering Committee of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh. They stressed the need for structured collaboration between hospitals, travel facilitators and policymakers to ensure smoother patient mobility.
Officials noted that better coordination could ease logistical hurdles such as visa processing, travel arrangements and post-treatment follow-up—factors that often shape patient decisions.
Representing Fortis, Puja Chatterjee, who oversees Bangladesh operations, said Bangladeshi patients are increasingly accessing specialised treatments at Fortis hospitals in major Indian cities, including New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
She underlined that competitive pricing and quality care remain key to attracting patients from Bangladesh.
The programme concluded with prayers followed by iftar and dinner, giving participants a chance to build ties and explore partnerships.
Industry observers say such engagements reflect a broader trend: medical tourism is no longer a niche but an emerging pillar of regional travel, with Bangladesh positioned as a key source market.
As demand grows, stakeholders believe stronger institutional ties and patient-focused services could further accelerate the sector’s expansion in the coming years.
