Import of health care services from India: Is it complementary to or substitute of the National Health Service of Bangladesh?

Abstract

Bangladeshi patients visit neighbouring country India for importing medical care. The patients from this country often go to India for those medical interventions what was already available in-home country. Hence, the question is to evaluate whether the trade in health services between these two countries is originating from substitution or complimentary effects. This paper analysed this question based on the nature of health service uses by Bangladeshi patients in India and in Bangladesh. It also analyses health outcomes and economic benefits of receiving health care abroad and in-home country. Health outcomes are measured in QALY gains calculated using EuroQol procedure. The findings of the paper suggest that foreign health services are complimentary to national health services. Bangladeshi patients use health services in Kolkata in India for comparatively better treatments. Patients gain more QALY when they get treatments abroad. The relative price of medical treatments is also lower in the case of treatments abroad. The paper concludes with the opinion that cooperation between countries for trade in health services may reduce cost, may make available necessary health care more equitable. The trade in health services may bring in economic gain for both countries.