Cancer Surgery Medical Value Travelers from Malawi to India

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with a majority of cases and deaths occurring in developing countries. Researchers say that evidence of Cancer has been found even among the primeval fossilized bones, human mummies. So unfortunately this menace has been with us since ages. Today cancer is a major health problem worldwide that is creating havoc in millions of lives. Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. As per the data revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO), Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.

Oncology deals with diagnosis of any type of cancer in anybody. Surgery or any other modalities including different therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy come under the subject oncology. Healthcare professionals who deal with or practice this branch of medicine are Oncologists or cancer specialists. They deliver news – good or bad. They help in the diagnosis, prevent the further deterioration and guide the patients about the various treatments.

The main types of Cancer treatment include:

• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted Therapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Stem Cell Transplant
• Precision Medicine

Symptoms of Cancer depend on the type of Cancer, where it is located and where the cells have spread. They are often described by the body part that they originated in. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs.

Special Services

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.

Some of the types of Cancer are:

• Lung cancer
• Skin cancer
• Bone cancer
• Leukemia
• Ovarian cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Head and Neck cancer

Furthermore, follow up of cancer patients also comes under the area of oncology.

Oncology – the Advantages in India

As predicted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the global burden of Cancer is expected to reach 21.7 million new Cancer cases and 13 million Cancer deaths, very soon. So there is an immense amount of pressure on the doctors and researchers to find out ways to restrain this issue.

Keeping this in mind, there is an incredible amount of research being conducted on all areas of Oncology, ranging from cancer cell biology to chemotherapy treatment regimens. This makes Oncology a continuously evolving and developing field. India has some of the best surgeons and experts in the field of Oncology and Cancer Surgery Services. They have received training and advanced patient care experience from the best institutes, both in India and abroad. They implement the finest preventive methodology, latest techniques for screening and cancer treatments, along with exceptional treatment packages. Working closely together with the well-trained healthcare professionals and award-winning hospitals, the Oncologists in India are proud to offer the best Oncology and Cancer surgery procedures.

Critical shortage of Oncologists in Malawi

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the ratio is 2.3 health workers per 1,000 population, but in Malawi it is 0.7 per 1000 population; and the shortage has worsened in recent times. Most of the rural and remote areas of Malawi are underserved by health workers. This shows that even though basic healthcare is guaranteed in the constitution of Malawi, the ground reality is actually opposite. Statistics from the National Cancer Association of Malawi show that Kaposi Sarcoma and Cancer of the Esophagus in the males and Cervical Cancer and Kaposi Sarcoma in the females are the most prevalent ones in Malawi. And it’s getting worse day by day and the people affected due to this are continually on the rise. Malawi faces collapse and critical shortage of medical staff due to neglect and underfunding, brain drain and refusal of Oncologists to accept posting at rural areas.

The best medical staff has emigrated and the remainder medical staff does not have adequate treatment centers and medical facilities to even cater to the basic healthcare needs of the ailing population in the country. Surprisingly, most facilities are either handled by doctor’s assistants or nurses, who don’t have enough expertise.

Thus, with not much hope there and owing to the obvious urgency, the patients have to travel long distances to get the required care. Furthermore, the situation is complicated due to shortage of appropriate medicines.

Inflow of Oncology Patients from Malawi to India

The Medical Association of Malawi says that Malawi is facing a severe Cancer threat and is a big challenge due to lack of awareness about the disease. There is evidence that Malawi has one of the highest rates of Cervical cancer, with more than 4684 women diagnosed annually and 2324 deaths.

Further, costs of Cancer treatment in Malawi are becoming increasingly expensive and going grown out of control – primarily due to the shortage of expert doctors and medicines. Even the routine therapy is no more affordable in Malawi. Thus, the lower cost of healthcare in India is the main aspect that attracts Malawians to travel to India. Cancer surgical procedures remain one of the top four procedures for which patients from other countries travel to India. Estimates show that about 10 percent patients visit India for Cancer surgical procedures. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism (IJHMT) says that the number of medical tourists coming to the country for medical purposes was 200,000 in 2016.The growth potential of medical value travel business from Malawi visiting India for Cancer procedures can be estimated.

Thus, several hundred Malawians have successfully received their cancer treatment in Indian hospitals. Cost has been undeniably the key driver in attracting these patients. The findings by International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) show that the average range of savings in India is 65-90 percent. But quality of the healthcare, brand name of various hospitals in India and the expertise of the surgeons are certainly the other key drivers.

The hospitals and medical staff in India have the right expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to conduct even the most complex cancer surgical procedures. No wonder that every year the number of medical tourists from Malawi is on the rise. India has the right attributes: proficient doctors, advanced equipment and most importantly low cost and supreme patient satisfaction to ensure that more and more Malawians travel to India for cancer surgeries and other medical procedures.

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 cancer 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 cancer 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.

Flight & Travel from Malawi to India

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