Cancer Surgery Medical Value Travelers from Zambia to India

Researchers from the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF), say that this year, more than 10 million people worldwide are expected to be diagnosed with cancer, a disease commonly believed to be preventable. Only 5–10 percent of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects, whereas the remaining 90–95 percent has their roots in the environment and lifestyle. Researchers say that presence 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 globally that is creating havoc in millions of lives. It 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, causing 1 in 6 deaths and was responsible for approximately 8.8 million deaths in 2015.

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.

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.

Why choose India for Cancer Treatment?

As per the estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the world population is expected to reach 7.5 billion by 2020; of this 21.7 new cases of Cancer will be diagnosed and 12 million Cancer patients will die. So there is an immense amount of pressure on the doctors and researchers worldwide 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, especially in India. This makes Oncology a continuously evolving and developing field. Today, India is at par in successfully treating Cancer patients with best of the medical facilities and latest technology. Not only this, the cost of treating cancer abroad can be around ten times more than what it is in India. As per the Indian Medical Association (IMA), 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, located both in India and abroad. They implement the finest preventive methodology, latest techniques for Cancer screening and Cancer treatments, along with exceptional treatment packages. Working closely with the highly-skilled healthcare professionals and award-winning hospitals, the Oncology and Cancer experts in India are proud to offer the best Cancer surgery procedures.

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 Zambian 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 Zambian 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 Zambia; 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 Zambian 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 Zambian 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 Zambia. There are doctors and assistant staff available in such camps to guide Zambians regarding many health issues and associated precautions.

Zambia facing a Grave shortage of Oncologists

Experts say preventing more cancers and diagnosing the disease as early as possible, when treatment is more likely to be effectual, could have a significant impact on survival. But this is not happening in Zambia. According to the Zambian Health Department, the ratio is 2.3 health workers per 1,000 population, but Zambia less than a third the doctor–patient ratio recommended by WHO; and the shortage has worsened in recent times. Most of the rural and remote areas of Zambia are underserved by health workers. This shows that even though basic healthcare is guaranteed in the constitution of Zambia, the ground reality is actually opposite. Zambia 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. This takes a tremendous troll on the remnant medical staff. And it’s getting worse day by day and the people affected due to this are continually on the rise.

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, making the situation direr. Surprisingly, most responsibilities are either handled by the assistants or nurses, who don’t have enough expertise.

Zambian Cancer Society (ZCS) statistics show that, Cervical cancer, Breast cancer, Eye cancer, Gastric cancer and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma are the most prevalent ones in the adults; while Kaposi’s Sarcoma and Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas are the most prominent types affecting the Zambian children. With more than 70 percent of the population dwelling in poverty, there is not much hope for reasonably-priced 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 Zambia to India

According to WHO, by 2030, it is estimated that annually 45 million surgical procedures will be needed worldwide. Yet, less than 25 percent of the patients with cancer worldwide actually get safe, affordable, or timely surgery. The ZCS statistics shows that that Cervical cancer, which is virtually 100 per cent preventable, kills more than 2200 women annually in Zambia. Further, costs of Cancer care in Zambia 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 Zambia. Thus, the lower cost of healthcare in India is the main aspect that attracts Zambians to travel to India.

At present, access to effective Cancer surgical procedures is a privilege for just a few Zambians. Even those who can afford, the waiting time can be around six months to one year; whereas in India, the waiting time is nil and the treatments are very pocket-friendly. Thus, Cancer surgeries remain one of the top four procedures for which patients from other countries travel to India. The growth potential of medical value travel business from Zambia visiting India for Cancer procedures can be estimated. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism (IJHMT) shows that the number of medical tourists coming to the country for medical purposes was 200,000 in 2016.

Thus, several hundred Zambians 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 several hundred Zambians travel all the way to India to get treated effectively. India has the right attributes: proficient doctors, advanced equipment and most importantly low cost and supreme patient satisfaction to ensure that more and more Zambians 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 Zambia 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 Zambia to India

• Visa applicants may apply at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/. High Commission does not accept online payments for Visa, Passport and Consular services.
• The High Commission of India accepts visa applications including from Diplomatic/Official passport holders at the High Commission on working days between 0900 hrs to 1100 hrs.
• Visa fee is payable in CASH at the High Commission. Facility for payment by credit card/debit card is not available.
• Non-Zambian nationals, who are casual visitors and not normally resident in Zambia should apply for an Indian visa in the country of their residence or country of origin.
• For Business visas, invitation letters from the relevant Indian company and the recommendation letter from the Zambia Company are required.
• The validity of all visas is counted from the date of issue.
• Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months and two blank pages at the time of submission of visa application.
• The visa fee charged is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application or the applicant withdrawing the application after submission or if the visa cannot be processed within the timeframe desired by applicants.
• For visa-related queries, kindly drop an email at cons.lusaka@mea.gov.in.
• Online Submission of Visa Application Form
  • Visa applicants may apply at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ and complete the application online after carefully going through the instructions listed on the web page.
  • Please take a print out of the duly filled online form and submit a signed copy directly at the High Commission.
  • Applications are to be submitted along with a recent passport-size colour photograph (size 2" x 2", white background), applicable visa fee and two clear pages in your passport. Take note of requirements of additional documentation for business or employment visas. All visa applications should be accompanied by copy of personal particular page of the passport and a copy of the EP/WP/NRC/SP.

In case of any difficulty and for clarifications regarding online submission of the visa application, please contact the Consular Officer at cons.lusaka@mea.gov.in

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 Zambia 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 Zambia to India
• Lusaka, ZA (LUN) to New Delhi, India (DEL)
• Livingstone, ZA (LVI) to Mumbai, IN (BOM)
• Mfuwe, ZA (MFU) to Chennai, IN (MAA)
• Ndola, ZA (NLA) to Bangalore, IN (BLR)

Common Flights to Zambia to India