The partnership will see Zimbabweans accessing technologically advanced treatment in India instad of in other countries at high costs. The critical shortage of local specialists has seen a lot of patients seeking expensive treatment in neighbouring countries like South Africa or from specialists who are in private practice.
The Chief Executive of Apollo Hospitals Central Region in India, Hari Prasad, told The Zimbabwean at the launch of the IndiZim partnership last week that many countries were sending their patients to India because of the level of expertise in the market as well as the cost factor.
“We want to assist developing nations like Zimbabwe in supplementing what is required in their medical field. You need advanced treatment for cancer, heart transplant and other complicated ailments – but without the required equipment and medical experts it’s difficult to get treatment locally.
“Patients can either bring a letter of guarantee to seek treatment or use their medical aid as we will not be demanding cash up front. We will work with selected medical aids in the region for patients to access the best medical treatment at affordable cost, “said Prasad.
He said a heart surgery in America costs $70,000 while in South Africa the cost was equivalent to $15,000 but India was charging only $5,000.
“Our treatment fees are cheap compared to other countries. Many countries are sending their patients to India mainly because of the level of expertise in the market as well as the cost factor,” he said. IndiZim Director Helen Mcneilage said they were awaiting approval to have the Indian doctors operating locally so that they would be able to attend to follow-up cases.
Post published in: News