A Bengaluru software engineer who relocated to Amsterdam seeking a better quality of life has sparked a fierce online conversation after declaring that she still returns to India for medical care. While praising the Netherlands for clean air, smooth public transport, and civic planning, her social media post criticized the Dutch healthcare system as inefficient and inaccessible, especially for newcomers.
Six months into her move, the techie, Pratim, posted a candid thread on X, labelling the system as “broken AF.” She noted that she hadn’t been able to register with a general practitioner (GP) despite numerous attempts. “No GP wants to accept us. Our insurer told us to apply online and wait,” she said. Long waiting times, lack of preventive care, and high insurance costs were key concerns she raised.
Pratim explained that India’s private healthcare, despite its flaws, was far superior in speed and service. “In India, as long as you reach the hospital on time and avoid traffic, the treatment is 10x better,” she said. She also shared how some friends were advised to exaggerate symptoms just to get medical attention in Amsterdam.
Her comments received widespread support, with many Indians living abroad echoing similar frustrations about healthcare delays in EU nations, including the UK. A viral comment joked, “You don’t need a GP. Just take a paracetamol.”
Even renowned cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy joined the conversation, amplifying concerns from both medical professionals and migrants alike.
For many aspiring to move abroad, her experience serves as a wake-up call: while the West may offer order and safety, healthcare isn’t always a clear upgrade.
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