Bangladesh’s Rhythm Group and India’s Manipal Hospitals have signed an agreement to streamline medical travel, reflecting growing efforts to formalise cross-border healthcare access for Bangladeshi patients.

The deal, signed in Dhaka today (23 April), links Rhythm Group’s travel, aviation, and logistics capabilities with Manipal’s network of 49 hospitals, more than 12,600 beds, and over 11,000 doctors across India.

The partnership aims to provide end-to-end coordination for patients seeking treatment abroad, from initial consultation through to travel and care delivery.

Under the partnership, Bangladeshi patients will be offered second medical opinions, medical report reviews, and guidance on treatment options before travel.

The model also incorporates travel logistics, including visa facilitation, accommodation, and preferential airfares via airline partnerships, addressing long-standing operational friction points in cross-border care.

According to local media outlets, both parties plan to introduce a digital video consultation platform, enabling patients to contact specialists remotely before travelling. Such virtual triage tools are gaining traction among insurers and assistance providers seeking greater oversight of treatment pathways and earlier clinical intervention.

India remains a leading destination for Bangladeshi medical travellers, driven by geographic proximity, comparatively lower treatment costs, and access to advanced private healthcare. However, the patient journey has often lacked coordination, with variability in pricing, provider selection, and pre-authorisation processes.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, attended by India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, officials said the partnership reflected closer cooperation between the two countries in healthcare and connectivity.

Elsewhere, Indian private hospital operator Max Healthcare recently announced plans to expand its capacity to meet both domestic and international demand for its services.