🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Public healthcare system supplemented by growing private sector. Private hospitals in Dhaka offer adequate care. Public hospitals are overcrowded and under-resourced.

Quality: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

Private hospitals in Dhaka (Square, United, Apollo) offer reasonable care. Public hospitals are severely overcrowded. English spoken at major private hospitals. For serious conditions, medical evacuation to Bangkok, Singapore, or India is common.

💡 Medical Tourism

Bangladesh is not a medical tourism destination. Many Bangladeshis travel to India, Thailand, or Singapore for advanced medical care.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Square Hospital 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Panthapath, Dhaka

📞 +880 2 8142 141

Leading private hospital. Modern facilities. English-speaking doctors. 24/7 emergency.

United Hospital 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Gulshan, Dhaka (diplomatic/expat area)

📞 +880 2 8836 000

Modern private hospital in expat area. Good for tourist medical needs.

Apollo Hospital Dhaka 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Bashundhara, Dhaka

📞 +880 2 8431 661

Part of Apollo international chain. International patient services.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: easy

Hours: Pharmacies open daily 8am-10pm in cities. Many 24/7 pharmacies in Dhaka.

Prescription rules: Very few prescription requirements in practice. Almost all medications available OTC. Bring essential medications from home for quality assurance.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol (Napa, Ace)
  • ibuprofen
  • oral rehydration salts (ORSaline — critical for traveler's diarrhea)
  • anti-diarrheal medication
  • antibiotics (widely available OTC)
  • antihistamines
  • basic first aid supplies

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need medicine for a headache: আমার মাথা ব্যথার ওষুধ দরকার (Amar matha byathar oshudh dorkar)
  • I have a stomachache: আমার পেট ব্যথা করছে (Amar pet byatha korche)
  • I'm allergic to...: আমার ...এ এলার্জি আছে (Amar...e allergy achhe)
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: নিকটতম ফার্মেসি কোথায়? (Nikottomo pharmacy kothay?)
  • I need a doctor: আমার ডাক্তার দরকার (Amar daktar dorkar)

💡 Tips

Lazz Pharma and other pharmacy chains are widespread. Most medications available without prescription at very low prices. Pharmacists may have limited training — self-prescribing is common. Bring your own essential medications to ensure quality.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Lazz Pharma — Green Lazz Pharma signage. Throughout Dhaka and Chittagong

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Crocin or Calpol
    Crocin (GSK) is the dominant Indian-subcontinent brand. Calpol is for kids.
  • ibuprofen → Brufen or Combiflam
    Brufen (Abbott) is the most common; Combiflam is paracetamol+ibuprofen combo.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium or Roko
    Available OTC at most pharmacies.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter in English for all prescription medications. Keep in original packaging.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • ⚠️ Opioid medications — Bring documentation.
  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Strictly illegal in Bangladesh. Severe penalties.
  • ⚠️ Sleeping pills / sedatives — Bring a doctor's letter.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Dental care available in Dhaka at private clinics. Quality varies.

Typical cost range: $5-20 for consultation; $10-40 for fillings

Private dental clinics in Dhaka's Gulshan and Banani areas serve international patients. Basic care is affordable.

🦷 Dental emergency?

Square Hospital and United Hospital have dental departments for emergencies.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $20-40/week

💡 Tip

Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is ESSENTIAL. Ensure coverage for evacuation to Bangkok, India, or Singapore for serious conditions.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Private hospitals provide English-language documentation and receipts. Keep all records. Medical evacuation to India or Thailand is common — ensure your insurer is notified promptly. File claims within 30 days.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $10-30
  • ER visit (no admission): $40-150
  • Overnight hospital stay: $60-250
  • Ambulance call-out: $20-80

Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation insurance is essential for serious cases. Singapore and Bangkok are the regional medical hubs. Indian metros (Mumbai, Delhi) handle complex cases for the subcontinent. Actual costs depend on distance, aircraft type, and whether ICU-level care is required in transit.

Primary destination: Singapore

Secondary destination: Bangkok or Mumbai

Typical cost band: $25,000-90,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Yellow fever (if arriving from an endemic area)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Rabies
  • 🟡 Japanese Encephalitis
  • 🟡 Cholera (oral vaccine for high-risk areas)

Yellow fever certificate required from endemic countries. Cholera and traveler's diarrhea are significant risks. Malaria risk in some border areas — consult a travel doctor.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

❌ Drink bottled water only

Do NOT drink tap water. Use bottled water only. Avoid ice in drinks. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Arsenic contamination affects some groundwater sources in rural areas.

Food Safety Tips

Eat freshly cooked, hot food only. Avoid raw vegetables, salads, and unpeeled fruit. Street food should be piping hot. Biryani and curries from busy restaurants are generally safe. Avoid buffets that have been sitting.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: 16789 (Kaan Pete Roi — emotional support helpline)

International crisis support: findahelpline.com — worldwide directory of crisis lines

English-speaking therapists: Limited. Some available through private hospitals in Dhaka.

Mental health services are limited. English-speaking support mainly available through private hospitals and expatriate networks.

♿ Accessibility

Accessibility infrastructure is very limited in Bangladesh. Sidewalks, buildings, and transport are generally not accessible.

Hospital accessibility: Major private hospitals have some accessibility. Public hospitals have very limited access.

Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Rickshaws and private cars are the main options. Traffic congestion in Dhaka is extreme.

💡 Accessibility tips

Bangladesh is very challenging for travelers with mobility limitations. Plan all logistics carefully. Use private transport and contact hotels/tour operators in advance about specific needs.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No formal requirements but masks may be recommended in crowded areas.

Testing availability: Tests available at private hospitals and clinics in Dhaka.

Bangladesh has lifted most COVID restrictions.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 999 (national emergency), 199 (ambulance)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.