Healthcare in Delhi
As in most destinations, healthcare in Delhi is divided among private and government-run facilities.
Most expats opt to bypass the public hospitals, which are thought to be overcrowded and which generally lack standardised practice, and instead, utilise the private hospitals, which employ doctors and nurses whose experience and training is on par with western standards.
It’s generally easy to find well-qualified medical professionals in Delhi who speak English.
Furthermore, given the elevated level of treatment and practitioners in India, and the accompanying low cost of healthcare, medical tourism is an industry sector growing in popularity. In this way, many private hospitals are familiar in dealing with foreigners, and are more than happy to better acquaint you with their services and capabilities, should you so ask.
In Delhi, there are more than 15 private hospitals; however, only a few will meet the standards that westerners are accustomed to. Expat’s general perception is that even these hospitals lack the attention to sanitation and hygiene that are vital to a medical setting.
That said, the few top notch hospitals tend to meet the same standards you would expect to find in Western Europe and the states. Keep in mind that waiting times tend to be long regardless of the hospital, even after scheduling an appointment. So be prepared to clear your schedule and devote a few hours to a hospital visit.
The top notch hospitals in Delhi are well equipped with modern facilities, and usually excel in certain areas, such as cardiology, oncology, minimally invasive surgery and orthopaedics. Otherwise though, there are plenty of challenges that need to be addressed in the more mediocre institutions, such as proper accreditation, equipment quality and the qualification of the doctors. It is best stick to the hospitals frequented by other expats.
Since only 5 percent of Indians actually have health insurance, the norm is to pay in cash, with most hospitals requiring a deposit or full payment in advance. The top notch hospitals offer options of payment by credit card or cash. Even holders of health insurance may be expected to pay some amount of advance deposit, make sure to keep all receipts for reimbursement.
Most expats visit GPs for minor health issues, and would only go to the hospital for emergency care, or if health concerns relate to infectious diseases. The cost for a basic consultation in India is relatively inexpensive, as compared to the West, on average only 13 USD per visit.
Finding a reputable doctor in Delhi is best done through word of mouth. If you don’t have any trusted friends, family or colleagues who can recommend a good professional, register with one of the expat social networking groups (Delhi Network and Gurgaon Connection); they offer a list of recommended doctors.
One quirk that expats will likely have to adjust to is the fact that the vast majority of doctors do not keep their patients’ medical records on file .You will need to carry your medical files to all appointments. It is suggested you keep track of all medication prescribed, and that you write down usage instructions (medication bottles/tablets etc. typically do not list indications for usage).
Drugs for minor ailments are usually available over the counter. Some of the medicines available go by the generic name, rather than the branded, labelled version you may be accustomed to. Pharmacies should be able to help you with imported medicines and local substitutes, if you can provide the generic name (i.e. Ask for Ibuprofen when you’re looking for the equivalent of Tylenol).
As always, if you are currently taking medication, you should always discuss this fact with your doctor, and you should always avoid taking un-prescribed medications.
Although medical expenses are generally inexpensive (sometimes only a fifth of what it would cost in the US), it is best to have health insurance. Costs for complicated or emergency treatment can drain your resources relatively fast.
Expats can expect to pay approximately 350 USD a month for family health insurance coverage.
It is a norm that expats moving to India with a corporate employment contract be offered health insurance as part of the remuneration package, but coverage may be limited for family members.
A common problem faced with health insurance in India is the lack of transparency and the limitation in coverage. Often expats will opt to carry additional coverage through international health insurance companies, especially if there is a pre-existing medical condition.
You can expect the health insurance companies to offer treatment in a select number of hospitals, this selection usually includes one or two of the top notch facilities and service providers. However, coverage may be limited and the process of obtaining approval for certain treatments may be cumbersome. Be prepared to make a deposit for treatment/services not covered by insurance, this usually includes test/treatments not related to the disease for which the patient was admitted and any consumables. Usually this amounts to 5 to10 percent of the bill . Ensure that you keep all receipts and collect all medical reports if needed for reimbursement from the insurance company.
You will find emergency and intensive care services are best in the larger, private hospitals verses government-run or smaller hospitals. Ambulatory services are available at most hospitals; however, the services and treatment offered may not meet the standards practiced in the West. Also, road congestion and the lack of road rules can hamper the speed of pick-up, so be prepared to make other arrangements to get to the hospital, if need be. It is a common practice among the locals to take victims who require emergency care to the hospital in private transportation.
It is highly recommended you have an action plan established in case of an emergency.
Expats should always check with their health insurance company to determine what kind of coverage is available for dental and eye care. Most schemes will cover dental/eye care surgeries, but not routine check-ups. Generally speaking, dental and eye care are inexpensive, as compared to the West. The cost for a root canal in India is, on average, 50 USD, as compared to US price of 500 USD, and a routine eye exam in India will cost, on average, 8 USD.
While expats do not need to be worried about contracting yellow fever or polio in Delhi, it is appropriate to be concerned about waterborne, food borne and mosquito borne illnesses.
Preventive measures that should be taken
Most expats opt to bypass the public hospitals, which are thought to be overcrowded and which generally lack standardised practice, and instead, utilise the private hospitals, which employ doctors and nurses whose experience and training is on par with western standards. It’s generally easy to find well-qualified medical professionals in Delhi who speak English.
Furthermore, given the elevated level of treatment and practitioners in India, and the accompanying low cost of healthcare, medical tourism is an industry sector growing in popularity. In this way, many private hospitals are familiar in dealing with foreigners, and are more than happy to better acquaint you with their services and capabilities, should you so ask.
Private healthcare in Delhi
In Delhi, there are more than 15 private hospitals; however, only a few will meet the standards that westerners are accustomed to. Expat’s general perception is that even these hospitals lack the attention to sanitation and hygiene that are vital to a medical setting.
That said, the few top notch hospitals tend to meet the same standards you would expect to find in Western Europe and the states. Keep in mind that waiting times tend to be long regardless of the hospital, even after scheduling an appointment. So be prepared to clear your schedule and devote a few hours to a hospital visit.
The top notch hospitals in Delhi are well equipped with modern facilities, and usually excel in certain areas, such as cardiology, oncology, minimally invasive surgery and orthopaedics. Otherwise though, there are plenty of challenges that need to be addressed in the more mediocre institutions, such as proper accreditation, equipment quality and the qualification of the doctors. It is best stick to the hospitals frequented by other expats.
Since only 5 percent of Indians actually have health insurance, the norm is to pay in cash, with most hospitals requiring a deposit or full payment in advance. The top notch hospitals offer options of payment by credit card or cash. Even holders of health insurance may be expected to pay some amount of advance deposit, make sure to keep all receipts for reimbursement.
Going to the doctor in Delhi
Most expats visit GPs for minor health issues, and would only go to the hospital for emergency care, or if health concerns relate to infectious diseases. The cost for a basic consultation in India is relatively inexpensive, as compared to the West, on average only 13 USD per visit.
Finding a reputable doctor in Delhi is best done through word of mouth. If you don’t have any trusted friends, family or colleagues who can recommend a good professional, register with one of the expat social networking groups (Delhi Network and Gurgaon Connection); they offer a list of recommended doctors.
One quirk that expats will likely have to adjust to is the fact that the vast majority of doctors do not keep their patients’ medical records on file .You will need to carry your medical files to all appointments. It is suggested you keep track of all medication prescribed, and that you write down usage instructions (medication bottles/tablets etc. typically do not list indications for usage).
Filling prescriptions
Drugs for minor ailments are usually available over the counter. Some of the medicines available go by the generic name, rather than the branded, labelled version you may be accustomed to. Pharmacies should be able to help you with imported medicines and local substitutes, if you can provide the generic name (i.e. Ask for Ibuprofen when you’re looking for the equivalent of Tylenol).
As always, if you are currently taking medication, you should always discuss this fact with your doctor, and you should always avoid taking un-prescribed medications.
Health insurance in Delhi
Although medical expenses are generally inexpensive (sometimes only a fifth of what it would cost in the US), it is best to have health insurance. Costs for complicated or emergency treatment can drain your resources relatively fast.
Expats can expect to pay approximately 350 USD a month for family health insurance coverage.
It is a norm that expats moving to India with a corporate employment contract be offered health insurance as part of the remuneration package, but coverage may be limited for family members.
A common problem faced with health insurance in India is the lack of transparency and the limitation in coverage. Often expats will opt to carry additional coverage through international health insurance companies, especially if there is a pre-existing medical condition.
You can expect the health insurance companies to offer treatment in a select number of hospitals, this selection usually includes one or two of the top notch facilities and service providers. However, coverage may be limited and the process of obtaining approval for certain treatments may be cumbersome. Be prepared to make a deposit for treatment/services not covered by insurance, this usually includes test/treatments not related to the disease for which the patient was admitted and any consumables. Usually this amounts to 5 to10 percent of the bill . Ensure that you keep all receipts and collect all medical reports if needed for reimbursement from the insurance company.
Emergency care in Delhi
You will find emergency and intensive care services are best in the larger, private hospitals verses government-run or smaller hospitals. Ambulatory services are available at most hospitals; however, the services and treatment offered may not meet the standards practiced in the West. Also, road congestion and the lack of road rules can hamper the speed of pick-up, so be prepared to make other arrangements to get to the hospital, if need be. It is a common practice among the locals to take victims who require emergency care to the hospital in private transportation.
It is highly recommended you have an action plan established in case of an emergency.
Dental and eye care in Delhi
Expats should always check with their health insurance company to determine what kind of coverage is available for dental and eye care. Most schemes will cover dental/eye care surgeries, but not routine check-ups. Generally speaking, dental and eye care are inexpensive, as compared to the West. The cost for a root canal in India is, on average, 50 USD, as compared to US price of 500 USD, and a routine eye exam in India will cost, on average, 8 USD.
Healthcare concerns Delhi
While expats do not need to be worried about contracting yellow fever or polio in Delhi, it is appropriate to be concerned about waterborne, food borne and mosquito borne illnesses.
Preventive measures that should be taken
- Use packaged (bottled) water for drinking, ice and brushing your teeth, make sure the seal is intact
- If not bottled, boil and filter all water used for drinking etc.
- Fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with water, then cook or peel them
- Meats must be cooked to at least 160 Celsius
- Mosquito repellent should be used liberally (use a Deet based repellent) during the peak season. You will find cream based repellents in Delhi.
- Precautions should be taken when mosquitos tend to be more active. The malaria mosquito bites mainly between dusk and dawn. If outside at these times, wear clothes, which maximise coverage (full-length sleeves and long trousers for example)
- It is best to visit the medical facilities and pre-register, if it’s an option.
- Know your blood type and be prepared to give blood to a family member in need, as blood banks are not dependable
- Be wary of counterfeit medications, only purchase medications from trusted sources.
- Unlike in the West, ambulances are not given high priority on the roads - have a plan, check the nearest hospital for options in case of an emergency
