Guidance

British nationals hospitalised in Bangladesh

Published 25 April 2023

If you’re hospitalised in Bangladesh and the British Consular Services are notified, we will try to contact you as soon as possible to see how we can help you. We will then aim to provide assistance according to your needs and how vulnerable you are.

Find out how we can help if you are hospitalised.

To decide how to support you, we will consider factors such as your condition, whether you can speak on the phone, whether you are being supported by a tour operator or insurance company representative, or have relatives or friends with you.

We do not usually contact or visit people who have travelled specifically for medical treatment.

Going into hospital

In an emergency, you can dial the National Emergency Helpline 999 for an ambulance.

You can decide whether to go to a government or private hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, depending on your condition, you may be taken to the emergency ward where the emergency physician will assess you and either admit you to the hospital or decide on appropriate treatment as an outpatient. Conditions in government hospitals vary, most hospitals are overcrowded and specialised equipment may not be available everywhere.

Waiting times will depend on the serial number you have and the number of patient’s waiting for OPD.

If you are admitted to hospital, give personal belongings you do not need (such as jewellery, your wallet and identification documents) to a family member or friend for safe keeping. If you’re alone, ask the hospital staff to sign for the belongings and kept in a safe.

While you’re in hospital

As a patient, you will need to bring your own towels, toiletries, nightwear, etc. The government hospitals will not provide these even in an emergency situation, but you might want to ask family or friends to bring them after you’ve been admitted. However, some of the private hospitals may provide you these.

Meals are provided free of charge in government hospitals. You will normally get 3 meals each day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) but menus and meal times may vary according to your medical condition. However, the choices of food you are offered may be limited.

Government hospitals may not always have private cabins available. If you want a single room, you may need to go to a private hospital. A laundry service for personal items of clothing is not normally provided, so make sure you have enough clothing.

Different wards often have different visiting times and regulations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals’ visiting arrangements may have further restrictions. Check Bangladesh Travel Advice for more information.

Paying for your treatment

The British High Commission cannot provide financial assistance to British nationals who have been hospitalised in Bangladesh.

The cost of treatment received abroad by UK citizens is normally the responsibility of the individual and the costs of medical treatment cannot be claimed from the British National Health Service. If you have been hospitalised, you may be asked to pay your medical bills. There are several ways to do this:

• A valid insurance policy: if you are hospitalised for a condition which does not pre-date the insurance policy, the insurance should cover the costs for treatment and possibly for medical repatriation. Please check details of your cover with your own insurance provider.

• Own funds, help from family, friends or employer.

• Government hospitals are free only for locals. Foreigners will be charged but the cost is not as costly as a private hospital. You have to pay in cash. They do not accept card payments and insurance.

The British High Commission in Bangladesh cannot pay medical bills.

Contact your insurance company

We recommend that you get travel insurance before you travel abroad.

• If you have travel insurance, you or your family should contact your insurance company immediately. You can also pass your insurance details to the hospital billing department, to make direct contact with your insurance company. We can only help you to liaise with your insurance company in exceptional circumstances if you are unable to call them yourself, and you have no one who can do this for you.

• You should also contact your GP in the UK, as your insurance company may want to speak to them as well. Your insurance company may not accept your claim if you did not disclose a previous condition.

Remember to keep any receipts and any medical reports. You may need them to make a claim for reimbursement of expenses on your return home.

Making a complaint

If you’re not happy with the care you’re receiving, you can make a complaint to the hospital’s manager. A complaint can usually be filed in person, on the phone or in writing. We cannot raise complaints with the hospital on your behalf.

For more serious complaints, you will need to seek legal advice from English Speaking Lawyers in Bangladesh.

Before you leave hospital

Ask for your medical records, fit to fly certificate, passport and any medical prescriptions.

Your airline may require a fit-to-fly certificate. Make sure you request a fit-to-fly certificate before you leave the hospital.

Full medical report

If you want a full medical report, you’ll need to request this before leaving the hospital.

Medical repatriation

If you have travel insurance, you should contact your insurance company as soon as you are hospitalised. This will give them time to check whether your policy covers your condition, and get your permission to access your medical records through your GP. Once they have validated your policy, they will liaise with your treating doctor to agree the best way for you to travel home. It may be some time before you are well enough to travel, and communication between hospital staff and the insurance company representatives is vital to assess and plan your repatriation.

If you do not have travel insurance and you wish to be medically repatriated, you (or your next-of-kin) may wish to consider paying for repatriation yourself. We cannot help with the cost of repatriation, and we recommend you contact a few medical repatriation companies to obtain an estimate of the cost.

View a list of medical repatriation companies.

Our contact details

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British High Commission Dhaka

United Nations Road, Baridhara, Dhaka - 1212

Bangladesh

Telephone: +880 2 55668700

Web: https://www.gov.uk/world/bangladesh

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If you are British and need the High Commission’s assistance please dial +880 2 55668700 and and select option 2 for Consular assistance. Consular officers are available on the telephone to help 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Use our contact form for Consular enquiries.

Further guidance

Find out more:

• In hospital abroad

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bangladesh-list-of-medical-facilities

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by UK Government officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither the UK Government nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.