Obesity Surgery Medical Value Travelers from Malawi to India

Data from World Obesity Federation says that worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Obesity is the fifth leading risk for global deaths. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese.

Often, this medical condition is associated with a lower life expectancy and a reduced quality of life, including the physical limitations, fatigue, high blood pressure and body pain. Bariatric surgical procedures cause weight loss by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold, causing malabsorption of nutrients, or by a combination of both gastric restriction and malabsorption. Weight loss surgery or Bariatric surgery is a complex medical condition that occurs when an individual has too much body fat. Obesity surgery can help you lose as much as 85 percent or more of your surplus weight and often has a huge impact on your overall health.

Obesity is a serious clinical condition and there are many diseases associated with it. Some of them are:

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Enlarged Heart
• Varicose Veins
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Fatty Liver Disease

When you struggle with weight issues, it is easy to feel beleaguered by your weight loss options and be disappointed by the setbacks. Many people have heard of obesity or bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery or obesity surgery is primarily for those who are morbidly obese. It helps when diet and exercises fail to show the desired results. There are seven types of Weight Loss surgery:

• Gastric Sleeve
• Gastric Bypass
• Duodenal Switch
• LAP-BAND
• Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch
• Gastric Balloon
• vBloc Therapy
• AspireAssist

Obesity surgery: Benefits in India

Medical research, education and healthcare technology in India are quite advanced and at par with the leading countries around the world. In spite of the low cost, hospitals in India have a reputation for providing the best facilities and quality doctors trained to do it. The Obesity Surgery Society of India (OSSI) says that in the area of Obesity surgery, India has excellent medical service facilities and the highly-qualified Bariatric surgeons use the most progressive techniques and surgical options. Not only this, there are multi-specialties like Endocrinology, Psychiatry, Cardiology, and well-trained support personnel and excellent infrastructure to provide comprehensive care for obese patients.

The International Association for the Study of Obesity says that the number of obese people is increasing in both rich and poor sections, affecting two billon people globally. Thus, there is an immense pressure on the doctors worldwide to curb this crucial issue. India can proudly claim to offer comprehensive obesity surgeries to cater not only to the domestic population but also to the patients located worldwide.

Obesity surgeons in India are very proficient and have been educated at the foremost institutes in India and abroad. Following their education, they undergo specialized training in well-known institutes around the world. Having brought their knowledge back to India, these surgeons have been offering the best treatments to patients from all around the world, ensuring supreme patient care and satisfaction. There are tailor-made treatments available coupled with adequate facilities to meet every patient’s requirements.

Special Services for Malawi Patients

Special and individualized care – We ensure fast and efficient services, which include immediate diagnostic and treatment procedures with no waiting lists. There is 24/7 staff for full patient support services, who are well trained to handle the most complex situations. Depending on the urgency, there are special consultations for scans, clinical investigations organized for Malawian medical tourists. Even if you are not insured, we ascertain that you are equally benefitted; and we don’t need any doctor’s referral to cater to you. We attend each and every Malawian with supreme care and patience.

Special packages – One thing that comes into consideration and is obviously very crucial while choosing a treatment destination, is the cost factor. We understand this and ensure that our patients are happy and supremely satisfied with the pricing of the treatments and procedures, they are looking for. We specially offer very cost effective packages for medical tourists from Malawi; customize the packages keeping in mind that patients are coming from all sections of the society.

Free second opinion – When it comes to illness and related procedures, certainly there can be some doubts in your mind; regarding the proficiency of the doctor or about the clinical investigation. So that you have no doubts regarding these factors and have full trust in us, we can arrange for free second opinion in our empanelled hospitals. This will surely help in clearing your dilemma and cement the trust in our relationship further.

Language Assistance – It is very important that the medical personnel are capable of handling this language issue, as health issues need to be communicated accurately and in a very detailed manner. So, we look after this issue by arranging expert translators/interpreters so that the requirements of our Malawian friends reach the doctor properly and vice versa.

Quick visa assistance – We make the visa process absolutely uncomplicated and hassle free. Our 24/7 visa assistance is at your disposal to look after all your queries and needs related to visa. We make it as simple as possible so that there is no time wastage, keeping in mind your health issues and the associated urgency.

Logistics Support – We are with you right from the moment you arrive at the airport. Our staff is there to receive the medical tourists at the airport, ensure that the guesthouse/hotel is perfect for the travelers. Further, we monitor your admission formalities and keep a detailed track your treatment process at the hospital – either in person or over phone – as and when required. Also, we provide regular medical updates about you to the sponsor of the treatment such as, the insurance agency, charity organization, your employer, etc.

Special food – Every health issue, its treatment and the suggested procedure comes along with its own dietary schedule and restrictions. We make sure that the food issues and such restrictions are well taken care of, ensuring your good health. We have special tie-ups with local food chains; customized diet plans are proffered keeping in mind speedy recovery and for better outcomes for the Malawian patients.

Follow up services – After any treatment/procedure, the most important phase is the follow up. Without this, the procedure is considered incomplete and can lead to a relapse. Follow up is important both for the patient as well as the doctor/surgeon. We ensure that there are no obstacles or interruptions in this phase and organize follow up services even after the patient is back in his own country, after his successful treatment in India.

Clinical camps – In order to create awareness about various health issues as well as to provide free and easily accessible services, clinical camps are organized in Malawi. There are doctors and assistant staff available in such camps to guide Malawians regarding many health issues and associated precautions.

Grave shortage of expert Medical Practitioners in Malawi

Obesity was once associated with only high-income counties but now is on the rise in the developing countries and might take an epidemic form in the near future. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared obesity as the epidemic of this century. It has been predicted that by 2030, that there will be 1.12 billion obese individuals globally.

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries, with 85 percent of the population living in rural communities that are extremely difficult to access and located too far from the country’s few health centers. It is mentioned in a report from the Medical Association of Malawi (MAM) that the prevalence of obesity is very high affecting one in five Malawians and the situation is worsening day-by-day. Even though basic healthcare amenities are guaranteed in the constitution of Malawi, the ground reality is actually the opposite.

Malawi faces a serious shortage of qualified healthcare professionals due to ignorance and underfunding, in the key areas of specialization. Also, the hospitals are mostly understaffed and undersupplied. The best medical staff has moved to other places for better opportunities and unfortunately the remainder medical staff is not qualified enough to cater to the medical needs of the population in poor health. Only 46 percent of Malawians live within a 5 km radius of any health center. The MAM further says that there is severe lack of guidance and awareness due to which the Malawian people who are facing this medical condition do not have access to any means of correction. Shortage of medical experts forces the Malawians to look for critical Obesity treatments in other countries.

Malawian patient undergoes Productive Breast Reconstruction Surgery in India

“Last year it was a tough time for me and my family as I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent double mastectomy surgery for the same. Life had become very difficult since then and I had lost all the confidence. Thus I decided to undergo breast reconstruction surgery. However this procedure is not common in Malawi due to which I wanted to undergo the same in some other country. While I was gathering information upon the best and affordable cosmetic centres around the world, I got to know about the Cosmetic and Obesity Surgery Hospital, India which is a medical tourism country in the country. All the services provided by them met my requirements and my budget for the treatment as well thus I took the decision to conduct my surgery with them.”

“After reaching India and seeing the promptness in service by the experts of Cosmetic and Obesity Surgery Hospital India, my confidence in this team increased immensely. Since they are connected to all the leading cosmetic and obesity surgeons of India, I underwent breast reconstruction surgery in the best hospital of India. And I am very much happy with the outcome of the same.”

“The cosmetic and Obesity Surgery Hospital India, turned out to be the best destination for me as it fulfilled more than just the basic requirement and provided me with full time assistance that involved, the team taking care of VISA, accommodation and our food. I thank the entire team from all my heart for giving me my confidence back and offering best in class treatment at an affordable cost that too with great hospitality. Kudos to your service!

Obesity Surgery patients from Malawi to India

Needless to say that price tag is a very important factor when considering any country for availing treatment. Many travel to neighboring African countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, etc.; some travel to countries as far away as India, Singapore, Dubai, etc. But there is a huge cost benefit in India – as much as 65-90 percent as compared to USA and UK, says the Medical Tourism Market Report. Owing to such big difference in the prices, Malawian medical tourists obviously prefer India. India has been welcoming several thousand medical value travelers from Malawi since 2010. The lower cost of healthcare in India compared to USA, UK and South Africa is the main feature that attracts Malawians to travel to India. In USA or UK the cost of obesity surgery costs approximately $15,000 - $25,000 whereas in India it starts from $5500.

The growth potential of medical value travel business from Malawi visiting India for Bariatric surgery or Obesity procedures can be estimated. Obesity surgical procedures remain one of the top procedures for which worldwide patients travel to India. If 2,000 Malawians would visit India every year, out of that, about 200 would be visiting for Obesity surgeries alone. Presently, more than 10,000 patients travel to South Africa for their various treatments from Malawi. But the advantages of lower price tag and best quality services are with India and medical value travel providers and hospitals in India are, therefore, giving South African hospitals a difficult time maintaining their standards.

The hospitals and medical staff in India have the right expertise, internationally-accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment and more than 80 percent cost benefit, to offer in the arena of Obesity surgeries. Also, there are internationally trained Nutritionists, Counselors, and Bariatric physicians, to ensure safe, effective and long-term results. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism (IJHMT) reports that the number of medical tourists coming to the country for medical purposes was 200,000 in 2016, with the number continually on the rise. Further growth potential is huge. A determined and collaborated effort by Indian Hospitals, Medical Value Travel providers along with Ministry of Health and Child Care in Malawi would be essential to ensure the betterment of these medical tourists.

About Indian Hospitals

India offers some of the best medical treatments in the world. The private hospitals in India have excellent reputation and our healthcare sector has sustained enormous boom in recent years. Despite the prejudices about healthcare in developing countries, rest assured that the obesity surgery hospitals in India are at the forefront of medical technology and are well equipped with the modern state of the art technology and highly qualified and experienced bariatric obesity surgeons. Indian doctors are considered the best in the world with the high level of surgical expertise that evolves from many years of training.

Hygiene in private hospitals in India is excellent and the Malawi patients seeking cardiac surgery are screened for HIV and Hbs Ag antibodies to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases and incidence of MRSA is minimal. The operation theatres have laminar air flow installed and gaining the ISO9001 standardisation, a voluntary standardisation run b a nongovernmental body where the hospitals must pass rigorous tests to be certified is increasingly becoming popular in the hospitals and the clinics.

Medical Visa Information for Patients from Malawi to India

One would need a medical visa if he/she is travelling to India for his/her treatment. The availability, criteria and eligibility of getting a medical visa matters. Hence we provide all the information about the medical visa lest it becomes tricky or confusing.

The High Commission of India, Lilongwe in Malawi, the primary considerations to grant a medical visa includes the serious ailments such as congenital disorders, cardiac problems, neurosurgery, joint replacements, plastic surgery, renal disorders, organ transplantation, ophthalmic disorders, and radiotherapy and gene therapy. The list of treatments is non-exhaustive.

• The sole purpose of travel should be undergoing medical treatment in India.
• The applicant should seek medical treatments at reputed/specialized/recognized hospitals in India.
• Two medical attendants are allowed to travel with the patient which could be his/her family members, associated or relatives.

• Filled-in and signed visa application form
• Two recent colour photographs
• Letter of invitation from an approved Hospital /Doctor in India
• Medical documents establishing the need for taking medical treatment in India
• Proof of availability of sufficient funds for stay in India including the expenses for medical treatment by producing documents such as Bank statement, Salary certificate, sponsorship letter etc.

A Medical/Medical Attendant visa is normally issued within 3 working days, inclusive of the day on which application is made.

Visa Invitation Letter

When you are applying for a medical visa, a visa invitation letter is required. A visa invitation letter is a formal document that is sent to the patient from the Indian hospital that sanctions his/her medical treatment in that hospital in India.

This also serves the purpose of a proof that the patient has indeed contacted with Indian hospital and will be having his or her treatment there. The visa invitation letter consists of the patient details, details of his/her ailment, treatment procedure and duration of the treatment involved. Hence it is an important and mandatory document required during the application and for the sanction of a medical visa to the patient.

Embassy Information

Vaccination

If you are coming to India from a country where yellow fever is present you are required to show proof of immunization. The patients travelling from Malawi to India for getting their medical treatment should enclose a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate that becomes valid only 10 days after the inoculation.

You can book the flight tickets for travel from Malawi (Lilongwe) to India (New Delhi) through various flights. Air India Flight is India’s first international airline providing luxurious air services to the international passengers at economical costs and discounted fares. It offers efficient service and good value for money.

The following are few flight travel details from Malawi to India

• Lilongwe, Malawi (LLW) to New Delhi, India (DEL)
• Blantyre, MI (BLZ) to Mumbai, IN (BOM)
• Lilongwe, MI (LLW) to Chennai, IN (MAA)
• Blantyre, MI (BLZ) to Bangalore, IN (BLR)

Common Flights to Malawi to India

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