Spine Surgery Medical Value Travelers from Zambia to India

The spine and spinal cord combine to become one of the most crucial neurological structures of our body. An unhealthy spine interferes with this entire system, causing a host of unwelcome health issues such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs, impaired breathing and digestion and impaired control of the bowel and bladder.

It is estimated that the annual global incidents of Spinal Cord injury (SCI) is 40 to 80 cases per million population. Every year, around the world, between 250 000 and 500 000 people suffer a (SCI), according to a factsheet by the World Health Organization (WHO). Up to 90 percent of these cases are due to traumatic causes, though the proportion of non-traumatic spinal cord injury appears to be growing.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medically complex and life-disrupting condition. Often a spine can suffer a fracture, can bend abnormally or can have a tumor. Some of the most common spine surgery procedures are:

Artificial Spine Lumbar Disc Replacement
Cervical Spine Surgery
Lumbar Laminectomy for Spine or Spine Decompression
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Spinal Fusion
Spine Tumor Surgery
Spine Osteotomy
Spinal Instrumentation

Whether open surgery or MISS (Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery), the spine can be accessed from different directions. These are referred to as surgical approaches:

Anterior approach Posterior approach Lateral approach

The overall impact of SCI on the individual, and also on society at large, therefore depends on a range of factors, including: the age at which the injury occurs (whether early or late in a person’s productive life); the extent of the injury; the availability and timing of resources and services; the environment in which the person lives – physical, social, economic and attitudinal.

Special Services For Zambia 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 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.

Spine surgery: India is in a Leading position

In the past few years, medical research, education and technology in India are quite advanced. Experts from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) say that, in the area of Spine and Neurosurgery, India is known to have one of the best hospitals and medical infrastructure along with the presence of highly competitive surgeons and spine experts, which together help in reducing the back pain and other symptoms with compassion and professionalism. One of the biggest advantages of spinal fusion surgery in India is the low cost, which is not seen in developed nations. This means you get high quality medical services at low cost.

According to the Neuro Spinal Surgeons Association (NSSA), approximately a quarter-million different types of Spine Surgeries are performed in India each year, half on the upper and half on the lower part of the spine. With over 99 percent of success rate at the leading hospitals, Spine specialists and Neurosurgeons with outstanding academic qualifications, along with tremendous experience, India has become one of the favorable destinations for medical value travelers. The surgeons have been offering the best treatments to patients from all around the world. It would, therefore, be hard to find a neurological or spinal ailment that Indian Neurosurgeons have not encountered or treated. High quality investigation is done to find out the exact ailment, using world-class infrastructure and equipment.

Critical shortage of Medical in Zambia

Zambia has been facing a nightmarish situation in the arena of healthcare, for years now. According to WHO, the normal doctor-patient ratio is 1 doctor per 5,000 patients but Zambia has one of the most abnormal doctor-patient ratios which now stands at 1 doctor per 12,000 patients. With just the basics of healthcare facilities, patients do not have much hope when it comes to complex surgeries. There is uneven distribution of healthcare providers and they are significantly understaffed due to ignorance and underfunding. The finest medical staff has emigrated looking for better placements. Most of the medical needs are shouldered by the remaining medical staff that includes the Paramedics and Clinical Officers, who do not have adequate medical facilities and qualifications to cater to the ailing population of the country.

At any Given Point to Send Us a Medical Query : click here

Phone Numbers Reach Us-

India & International : +91-9325887033

The situation is even shoddier for complex treatments such as spine surgeries. As per the latest report by Demographic and Health Survey, poverty is widespread in Zambia – 64 per cent of the total population lives below the poverty line, rising to 80 per cent in rural areas; also the limited number of health institutions, the poor distribution of medical supplies among regions and the disparity between urban and rural areas are all responsible for the inaccessibility of healthcare services to the population. The few practicing surgeons dictate and are able to command overprized rates for conducting brain and spine surgeries. This eventually worsens the situation for most of the Zambian population, apart from the well off Zambians. But controlling the payments of these experts could make them emigrate as well. Therefore, for their surgical needs, Zambians have to look for places such as India where such surgeries are readily available and at affordable costs. The hospitals and medical staff in India have the right expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to conduct even the most complex spine surgical procedures. With a large pool of skilled doctors and support staff, it is ensured that the patients receive individualized care.

Inflow of Spine surgery patients from Zambia to India

Owing to shortage of good facilities in their country, many Zambians patients opt for neighboring countries to get treated. Many travel to neighboring African countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, etc.; some travel to countries like India, Singapore, Dubai, etc. Amongst these, India is in a far more beneficial position for providing low cost or affordable treatments. Furthermore, Indian doctors and hospitals are fully accelerated towards eradicating every kind of spine disorders. For patients, often with limited resources and language barriers, it’s a big leap of faith and relief.

Thus, India has been welcoming and curing several thousand Zambians successfully since 2010. The pocket-friendly healthcare services in India compared to USA, UK and South Africa is the main aspect that catches the attention of Zambian patients. The findings by International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) show that the average range of savings in India is 65-90 percent.

The growth potential of medical value travel business from Zambia visiting India for Spine procedures can be estimated. Spine procedures remain one of the most needed procedures for which there has been a steady inflow of medical tourists to India. Cost undeniably is the key driver in capturing the market share, but quality of the healthcare, leading hospitals in India and expertise of the surgeons are the other key drivers. Even if India were to take about 10 percent share away from South Africa, about 2,000 Zambians would visit India every year. Out of that, about 200 would be visiting for Spine surgeries alone. The Medical Tourism Market report says that the number of medical tourists coming to the country for medical purposes was 200,000 in 2016 and the number keeps rising each year. The continuous inflow of such patients requires collaboration, continual and focused efforts from the major hospitals in India, Zambian healthcare professionals, Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zambia and medical value travel companies in both the countries.

At any Given Point to Send Us a Medical Query : click here

Phone Numbers Reach Us-

India & International : +91-9325887033

Raissa Lubuto of Zambia Gets Rid of Seizures with Epilepsy Surgery in India

Raissa Lubuto in Zambia
Mrs. Raissa Lubuto from Zambia

“Life is miserable when you limit your actions in threat of getting seizures. My name is Raissa Lubuto and I am form Zambia. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Epilepsy and since then I am in a constant battle with my seizures. Until recent times my seizures failed to respond to the medications and treatment due to which I was suggested to undergo surgery. Since the surgical procedures in Zambia are not very advanced, my family decided to take me to a different country for my treatment. During the research for the same my brother came across Spine and Neurosurgery Hospital India. Upon seeing their promptness in answering our queries and the testimonials available on the website we decided to take their assistance for my treatment.”

“And I would say that dint give us a single chance to regret our decision. Credits given to the team of Spine and Neuro Surgery Hospital India, I underwent surgery with one of the top neuro surgeon of India. Not only did they ensured the best treatment but also took care of everything related to it from visa, hotel reservations, to our return back home. The best part of it was that I received the best in class treatment at an affordable cost without any waiting list. I would definitely suggest Spine and Neuro surgery hospital India to all my friends and relatives back in Zambia.”

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 spine 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 spine 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

High Commissioner: H.E. Mr. Gaddam Dharmendra
Second Secretary (Political, Information, Culture & ITEC): Mr. S.S. Barwal
Telephone: +260-211-253159/60
Fax: +260-211-254118
Address:
No.1 Pandit Nehru Road,
Loangacres, P.O. Box. 32111,
Lusaka, Zambia

E-Mails:
hc.lusaka@mea.gov.in (High Commissioner)
hoc.lusaka@mea.gov.in (Head of Chancery)
pol.lusaka@mea.gov.in (Political and Cultural)
cons.lusaka@mea.gov.in (Consular Section)
com.lusaka@mea.gov.in (Commercial and Development Cooperation)
info.lusaka@mea.gov.in (Information and ITEC)

Vaccination

Do I Need A Yellow Fever Vaccine for India?

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.