Only treat foreign patients on medical visa

The Mumbai police has sent an advisory to all major hospitals to treat only foreign patients with a medical visa. The advisory has been sent especially to major hospitals in the city known to attract a large number of medical tourists, many of whom enter the country on a tourist visa.

The Public Information Officer of Mumbai Police said, "For any planned treatment, medical visa is necessary." The official added that if a tourist arrives in the country and then falls ill, his/her tourist visa can be converted to a medical visa.

After Shaimaa, the sister of once-world's heaviest woman Eman Ahmed, fell out with the doctors treating Eman, Dr Deepak Sawant, Health Minister, Maharashtra, had made it clear that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be developed when it comes to treating patients coming from abroad.

"While medical visas have been around for a while, the Indian government is insisting that the embassies as well as all hospitals, ensure that foreign patients possess a medical visa," said Huzefa Shehabi, COO, Saifee Hospital (where Eman was treated). "We've been asked to check the visa of all patients because many come to India seeking medical care, but avail a tourist visa," he said.