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The availability of advanced healthcare services at reasonable rates has made India a sought after medical hub for residents of several countries, including Afghans.
Due to poor medical facilities in war-ravaged Afghanistan, several patients prefer to come to India for treatment.
Delhi's Apollo Hospital is one such facility where many Afghan patients come for treatment of ailments like joint replacement, spine surgery, and complicated neglected trauma, chest and gastrointestinal specialties.
According to estimates, the number of Afghans seeking treatment rose by 21 percent in 2014 to more than 32,000 patients. This figure is expected to climb further after Prime Minister Narendra Modi relaxed visa rules in a bid to deepen ties.
Abdul Aziz, a 56-year old from Kabul, said he has come to India for spine treatment.
"The medical facilities in Afghanistan are very poor and the doctors are not proficient enough to diagnose the ailment of patients. So, I have to come to India for a better treatment," said Aziz.
Noorjan, who hails from Baglan Province, has come to India for treatment of a chest ailment. He praised Indian doctors for their advanced treatment and range of medicines.
"I have come here for the chest treatment and I hope coming to India will cure my ailments and the medicines which have prescribed to me will definitely work well," said Noorjan.
Dr. Yash Gulati, a senior consultant in the joint and spine department of Apollo Hospital, confirmed that several patients from Afghanistan come to him for treatment.
"As far is Afghanistan is concerned, we have a constant flow of patients coming from there. I can't put numbers to this. At least in my OPD, I see around five to six patients from Afghanistan every day. So if you add patients of my colleagues, then it's a sizeable number of patients coming from Afghanistan," said Dr. Gulati.
Located in the Sarita Vihar area of the national capital, the multi-specialty Apollo Hospital treats around 600 Afghan patients annually.
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India has been contributing to the rebuilding efforts of the war-torn nation in a big way, and one way of doing it, is by providing medical care to Afghan patients.
Afghan patients laud India's advanced healthcare facilities | Business Standard News