Afghan networks and medical tourism in Delhi

Abstract

This research forms part of the Project “Making India a global health care destination : A social study of high-tech hospitals and neo-oriental spas” (Heidelberg / IFP). It explores the unknown phenomenon of Afghan medical tourism in India, giving particular attention to the Afghan elite from Kabul and other main cities in Afghanistan, Afghan refugees living in Delhi for the past fifteen years ; and Indian doctors and medical institutions of the capital city. In my PhD research, I studied refugees living in Delhi and identified economic activities involving Muslim Afghan refugees and Afghan citizens or people of Afghan origin, who come to India to get medical treatment. The present research goes further and examines 1/ the “Afghans patients”, their social background and the reason for which they become cross-borders patients, and 2/ the role of the Afghan refugees who serve as intermediaries between the Afghan healthcare seekers and the Indian healthcare providers. In a country such as India where refugees are not allowed to work, medical tourism give them the opportunity to get a well-paid job as they speak hindi and little English, and know the city very well. At the same time, refugees are seen as perfect guides as they are familiar with both cultures and they possess the needed administrative skills thanks to their refugee status. Based on an ethnography of the phenomenon in Delhi, this study addresses transnational dynamics and intercultural relations which emerge from this form of medical tourism.

Speaker

Julie Baujard, PhD in anthropology, Université de Provence/IRSEA

Organisers

Department of Social Sciences, French Institute of Pondicherry

Venue

Jawaharlal Nehru Conference Hall, French Institute of Pondicherry, 11, Saint Louis Street, Pondicherry - 605 001

Time

4.30 pm