According to the UAE’s The National, some 20,708 people from the UAE were treated at the Bangkok Hospital last year. For critical treatments in oncology, cardiology, neurology and specialised orthopaedic procedures, UAE nationals travel to Thailand, Germany, the UK and India.
UAE citizens make up the second largest group at Bangkok hospital after Myanmar. Patients from Kuwait, Oman and Qatar are among other GCC countries to seek treatment here.
The hospital employs more than 100 translators to help Thai doctors converse with Arab patients and relatives.
Prayer rooms are located in the Arab section, iftar is observed during Ramadan and immigration officers come to the hospital on Saturday to extend visas nearing expiry to lessen the burden on already anxious relatives.
“We deal with patients as family. We understand completely that an Arab patient never travels alone, there are always four or five family members with him. One doctor tracks the patient through all the specialists and a translator is always present so no one feels alone, either,” said Aqeel Bokisha, an Emirati consultant to the hospital’s chief executive who is based in Bangkok.
The main procedures Emiratis have are cancer treatment, knee and hip replacements, heart, back and neck surgery. Patients usually stay on for a month or two of rehabilitation.
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