By Varsha Sagi
New Delhi- For thousands of foreign nationals who travel to Delhi every year for affordable treatment, budget hotels near hospitals are often the first choice of stay. Wednesday’s devastating fire at one such hotel in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has raised serious concerns about the safety of these facilities.
Several stakeholders in the healthcare sector say the death of foreign nationals in the blaze has made the incident particularly sensitive for Delhi’s medical tourism sector, which attracts patients from across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Sanoj Kumar, DGM (International Marketing) at PSRI Hospital, said India receives approximately 2 million medical tourists annually from 78 countries, with Delhi as a primary hub.
“Forty to fifty per cent of international patients opt for budget hotels and guest houses near hospitals because of affordability and convenience,” he said.
Mohammed Matloob, founder of Medtripz Medical Tourism Company, said the tragedy has already led to concerns among international patients and their families, with reports of the incident being picked up by foreign media.
“This incident has had a major impact on India’s image internationally. Since yesterday, our clients have been asking questions as the news has spread widely,” he told PTI.
Matloob said international patients contribute significantly to the business of several private hospitals in Delhi and any incident involving foreign patients inevitably attracts global attention.
He said many patients from African and Middle Eastern countries travel to Delhi for treatment and often choose budget accommodation near internationally accredited hospitals such as Max, Fortis, Apollo and Artemis in Gurugram to reduce their overall expenses.
“Patients who come from economically weaker countries choose budget accommodation because treatment itself can be expensive and they need to stay for long periods,” he said.
Wednesday’s fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar, an area located close to several major private hospitals and frequently used by patients and attendants looking for affordable accommodation.
Several experts stressed that the tragedy was related to the safety of hotel buildings and should not be seen as a reflection of Delhi’s healthcare standards.
Sanoj Kumar from PSRI Hospital said Delhi remained one of the leading medical tourism hubs in the country because of its world-class medical expertise and comparatively affordable treatment options.
Calling the incident an isolated fire safety failure, Kumar said stronger monitoring of patient accommodation was needed to maintain confidence among international visitors.
He said hospitals and facilitators have already started receiving queries from patients and family members regarding the safety of hotels and guest houses near healthcare facilities.
“Several families and facilitators have asked about verified accommodation options. Hospitals are proactively sharing details of lodging facilities that have valid safety certifications,” Kumar told PTI.
Experts said the tragedy is likely to make patients and their kin more cautious while selecting accommodation in the city.
Dr Amar Singhal, Director of Cardiology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said that before making bookings, kin of patients may now pay closer attention to issues such as fire safety certificates, emergency exits, building approvals and whether a property has been properly vetted.
He pointed out that Delhi’s reputation as a medical tourism destination depends not only on its hospitals and doctors but also on ensuring that patients and their attendants feel safe throughout their stay.
“Patients and their families are likely to watch more closely before they book a trip,” he said.
According to stakeholders, budget hotels and guest houses near hospitals are commonly used by patients undergoing long-term treatment for cancer, kidney and liver diseases, organ transplants, cardiac procedures, orthopaedic surgeries and other complex medical conditions.
Such patients often stay in Delhi for weeks or months, making affordable accommodation an important factor in their treatment journey.
Industry insiders said patients using these facilities commonly come from countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, the Maldives, several African nations and parts of Central Asia.
Dr (Maj) Rajesh Bhardwaj of MedFirst ENT Centre said the tragedy could leave a negative impression on prospective international patients because of the extensive international attention it has received.
He said hospitals should play a more active role in helping foreign patients identify safe accommodation facilities, as many visitors are unfamiliar with the local system and may find it difficult to assess safety standards on their own.
Experts said the incident has highlighted the need for annual fire safety audits, stricter enforcement of licensing norms, regular inspections and stronger implementation of building and fire safety regulations.
Sanoj Kumar said accommodation safety should become an integral part of the Centre’s “Heal in India” initiative so that patient welfare extends beyond treatment inside hospitals.
Stakeholders also called for verified accommodation databases, greater awareness among patients about safety certifications and closer coordination between hospitals, facilitators and authorities.
While acknowledging that the tragedy could affect perceptions in the short term, experts added that Delhi would continue to remain a major medical tourism destination because of its established healthcare infrastructure, experienced doctors and cost-effective treatment options.
They said visible corrective measures, strict enforcement of safety norms and clear communication from authorities would be important in reassuring international patients and their families in the coming weeks.
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