India's demonetization move hits Bangladeshi patients

Dhaka, Nov 11: Hundreds of Bangladeshi citizens, who come to India for medical treatment, have been adversely affected by India’s sudden demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, media reported. Prime Minister rendra Modi in a televised address on Tuesday announced that the high value currency notes will not be legal tender from November 8 midnight onwards, to curb the mece of black money and corruption.

But the decision has adversely impacted Bangladeshi patients in India, either already under treatment or seeking the same, bdnews24 reported. Relatives of such patients said they had exchanged Bangladesh currency or US dollars for high value Indian currency like 1,000 or 500 rupees because large amounts are needed for treatment which is easy to handle with high value notes.

“But now these notes are not accepted by any private hospitals, where our patients are admitted,” said Sheikh Mansur Ali from Bangladesh’s Jessore district, whose brother is being treated for kidney problems at a hospital in Kolkata. “The hospital says they will only take 100 rupee notes. I have only a few of them,” Mansur added. (IANS)