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Cardiac Surgery Medical Value Travelers from Rwanda to India

Also referred to as Heart surgery, Cardiac surgery is a specialization in the surgical field that is dedicated to treating life-threatening heart conditions. This field looks into diagnosis and treatments of various kinds of heart disorders such as Heart failure, Congenital heart defects, Coronary Artery disease, Electrophysiology and Valvular heart disease. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally; more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated 17.7 million people died from CVDs in 2015, representing 31 percent of all global deaths, a number that is expected to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

In the past few years, medical science has progressed in leaps and bounds, making even the most complex Cardiac surgeries much safer minimizing the risks. The surgery can be either open-heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery depending on the condition of the patient.

Some of the Cardiac issues are:

    Cardiac Surgery
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Enlarged Heart (Cardiomegaly)
  • Heart Attack
  • Irregular Heart Rhythm
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Pericarditis
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The medical practitioner who specializes in such surgeries is called the Cardiothoracic surgeon.

Types of Cardiac surgeries:

  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
  • Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization
  • Heart Valve Repair or Replacement
  • Radiofrequency Ablation
  • Stent Placement
  • Arrythmia Treatment
  • Heart Transplant
  • Open-heart Surgery
  • Off-pump Heart Surgery
  • Open Heart Surgery

Special Services to our Rwanda 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 Rwandan 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 Rwandan 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 Rwanda; 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 Rwandan 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 Rwandan 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 Rwanda. There are doctors and assistant staff available in such camps to guide Rwandans regarding many health issues and associated precautions.

Cardiac surgery: India a Boon for Medical Tourists

If your loved one has been advised a cardiac surgery, there are many vital factors that you are bound to consider – highly trained surgeons, latest technology, supreme patient care along with the perfect kind of infrastructure. India has become the healthcare hub for international patients as it provides with the latest in medical treatment facilities and best services making it easy and comfortable. Indian Medical Association (IMA) says that in India, there are over 500 hospitals catering to open heart surgeries with over 100,000 surgeries being performed annually. Indian Cardiac surgeons have been trained at some of the most acclaimed institutes located nationally and internationally and have years of experience in treating patients successfully from all over the world. Their expertise, know-how coupled with team approach and well-researched knowledge, enables them to deliver the best. This makes India a hot spot for open heart surgery patients from Rwanda.

Furthermore, the cost of Cardiac surgeries in India is much lower than that in many other leading countries. International patients visit India for such procedures as they get it done at a cost which is competitive and reasonable. The Cardiological Society of India (CSI) empathizes that hospitals in India have the most advanced equipment that can aid in accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care of the patient during their surgeries in India. The Cardiac surgeries performed in India are: Angioplasty, CABG, heart transplants, reparative surgery for Congenital heart defects, Pacemaker Implantation and Pediatric heart surgery and much more. Cardiac surgeons and hospitals in India are thus well-positioned to accommodate the Cardiac needs of patients from all over the world. Thus, for the global patients coming from Rwanda, India indeed proves to be a boon.

Rwanda needs more Cardiac expertise

Rwanda is facing a growing threat from an increase in cardiovascular diseases, which are emerging as one of the leading causes of mortality. In rural areas, the situation is even worse as patients walk several kilometres from their villages to the clinic and spend many hours waiting to be attended to. Some critically ill patients die on their way to the hospitals due to lack of proper roads and ambulances in rural areas. Delayed diagnosis has been cited as a big problem but even those who are diagnosed early, end up dying while waiting for the surgery because of limited availability of surgeons.

A recent revelation by the Rwanda Medical Association (RMA) says that Rwanda is not competent enough to handle various medical complications without having to refer the patients abroad. Especially, Rwanda needs to work a lot on its Cardiac surgery arena and also to improvise the services provided for the same. Despite the fact that basic healthcare facilities are guaranteed in the constitution of Rwanda, the actuality is a sad picture. According to the latest WHO data, CVDs are growing at a 15 per cent rate in the country, the highest in the region.



Furthermore shocking data from WHO depict that currently Rwanda has only five cardiologists. Due to ignorance, inadequate infrastructure, refusal of practitioners to accept postings in the rural areas and less amount of funds, Rwanda faces biting shortage of medical staff. The best practitioners have emigrated and the remainder medical staff does not have sufficient medical facilities and qualifications to even provide the basic healthcare needs for the ailing population of the country.

According to the Rwanda Medical Journal, poverty being a major drawback, many Cardiac patients cannot access and afford the treatment and die waiting for a miracle to happen. Some get appointments that are six months or one year away. So we can imagine how tricky it is for complex treatments such as Cardiac surgeries. It is learnt that there are only a few facilities in Rwanda that have the capacity to do Cardiac surgeries. Due to the country’s serious economic challenges, Rwanda has fallen behind many other countries when it comes to heart surgeries. Thus, patients are forced to seek Cardiac surgeries in other countries.

Cardiac Surgery patients from Rwanda to India

The mounting burden of Cardiac issues is a matter of grave concern but it is not given the attention it deserves; and it is particularly happening in Rwanda. The Cardiac surgery needs in Rwanda has overshot its capacity and there is a lot of backlog that needs to be attended. That’s the reason India has witnessed the inflow of several thousand medical value travelers from Rwanda since 2010. With more than 500 Cardiology hospitals in India that conduct the most progressive types of cardiac surgeries, India is surely in a leading position. Isn’t it a reason enough to choose India over many other countries? Patients from Rwanda are bound to travel abroad for medical treatments for years now. Many travel to their neighboring African countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, etc.; some travel to countries as far away as India, Singapore, Dubai, etc.

Cardiac surgeries remain one of the top procedures for which globally located patients travel to India. One can estimate about 10 percent patients visit India for cardiac surgeries. The lower cost of healthcare in India compared to USA, UK and South Africa is the main facet that attracts Rwandans to look at India with lot of hope for survival and betterment. The Medical Tourism Market Report reveals that heart surgery costs over US$ 43,000 in UK, US$ 70,000-130,000 in USA and about US$ 15,000 in South Africa; but just about US$ 7,000 in India. The report also reveals that the number of medical tourists visiting India for medical purposes was 200,000 in 2016.

India is proudly and incessantly taking the market share away from South Africa and other countries, for medical value travel due to low price tag. The Cardiac surgeons in India, hospitals, and medical value travel companies are working aggressively at capturing the share of medical value travel business from South Africa and other major countries. Cost is undeniably the key driver, but usage of latest medical technology, growing compliance on international quality standards, brand name, lower waiting periods and the deftness of the surgeons are the other key components.

With poverty and the fast mushrooming population being some of the major drawbacks of Rwanda, the patients obviously are looking for pocket-friendly medical packages. That’s where India comes to their rescue. No wonder, several hundred thousands of Rwandans are flocking to India looking for better healthcare options. Cardiac surgeons in India, the hospitals and medical value travel providers should team up with the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Rwanda, to raise the number of medical tourists from Rwanda visiting India for healthcare reasons, especially for Cardiac procedures.



Women from Rwanda Visits India for Advanced Cardiac Surgery

Umimana Ngeze in Rwanda
Mrs. Uwimana Ngeze From Rwanda

“I am a mother of two and the most active member of my family as I have always been fitness conscious. However few months back, while I was about to undergo knee surgery, the doctors denied to proceed and said that I had Atrial Fibrillation. I was put on medications but I wanted a permanent solution, upon which my doctor suggested radiofrequency ablation. This procedure is yet to become popular in Rwanda and my family dint want me to undergo any risk. Thus they decided to take me to some other country for my treatment. Since we dint have much time, we decided to take the assistance of India Cardiac Surgery Site as per the suggested by my sister.”

“I was very anxious about the decision we had taken as going abroad for my treatment was a big step taken by my family. However after we started experiencing the services of India Cardiac Surgery Site, I was glad that my sister suggested us their name for my treatment. In the same week of my arrival in India, I underwent radiofrequency ablation in the best cardiac hospital of the country. My family was relieved to know that I was in a healthy condition after the procedure and felt satisfied with how I received the treatment with great hospitality, under the best cardiologists at an affordable cost.”

“I am extremely grateful to India Cardiac Surgery Site for offering the best healthcare package at a suitable price. I am all praises about them as the team did not give a single chance to regret our decision to come to India. Thank you for a wholesome treatment and giving me my healthy self back.”


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 cardiac 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 cardiac 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 Indi is excellent and the Rwanda 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 Rwanda to India

Indian Embassy in Rwanda

The Embassy of India has not been established in Rwanda yet. Rwanda nationals are eligible for Indian e-Visa that can be applied online for saving time.

Apply for e-Medical visa online at least four days before the date of travel with a window of 120 days. By that way, you will get the Indian e-Visa approval letter before leaving Rwanda for India, so that you can pick up Indian e-Visa at the arriving airport. Once in India he/she can stay for a maximum of 60 days.

Applicants can visit www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa for more information and to apply online.

For any clarification, send email to indiatvoa@gov.in or cons.kampala@mea.gov.in.

Eligibility for Rwandans applying e-Visa to travel to India

  • Rwandan Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is short duration medical treatment, recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, or casual business visit.
  • Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
  • Rwandan Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

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

Commercial Section/Commercial Representative
Officer In-charge:
Mr. Inderpreet Singh,
A Attache (Admin), High Commission of India, Kampala.
Phone- +256-41-4342994/+256-41-4344631,
E-Mail- admn.kampalamea.gov.in

Vaccination

Travelers visiting India must possess a valid "Yellow Fever Vaccination" card if they are transiting or have transited through a Yellow Fever Zone.

  • Flight & Travel from Rwanda to India
  • Kigali, RW (KGL) to New Delhi, IN (DEL)
  • Kamembe, RW (KME) to Chennai, IN (MAA)
  • Kigali, RW (KGL) to Mumbai, India (BOM)
  • Kamembe, RW (KME) to Bangalore, IN (BLR)

Common Flights to Rwanda to India

Air India Emirates Airlines Ethiopian Airlines FlyDubai Jet Airways Kenya Airways ProFlight Qatar Airways South African Airways Air France Egyptair Etihad Airways KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Lufthansa Rwandair Express Turkish Airlines


Other Common Procedure for Which Rwanda Patients Come to India are

  • Plastic Surgery India
  • Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery India
  • Robotic Surgery India
  • Heart Transplant India
  • Joint Replacement Surgery India
  • Eye Surgery India
  • Lung Transplant India