Exciting Day Off

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This afternoon, Simon - from China and I drifted off by foot. In about a mile we came across what seemed like a mirage - the most modern, lovely, seemingly best equipted Hospital we had ever seen - with nothing else being an even close second. The 1 year old United Hospital has 450 Beds, 12 state of the art operating theaters, etc. It is privately owned and operated. All signs and literature are in English. The rooms we saw were all single patient rooms that were like being in a luxury hotel room - including couches, etc. Daily room rates range from $80 a day for a standard room which was way more attractive than any hospital room that I have ever been it - to two room suites with kitchens, etc at $200 per day. A very exhaustive and compete physical costs less than $100. A major heart bypass costs $2,500. See http://www.uhlbd.com/ In the halls there was absolutely nothing other than halls. I never thought that someone would fly to Bangadesh for a major surgery - but I would sure consider it.

My new friend Niranjan from India is a Rotarian and made arrangements to attend the Dhaka Downtown Rotary Club and he invited me to go with him. They are an incredibly educated group, many know Yunus personally, one was he contractor on a major part of the Grameen Bank complex. Our host, Professor Iqbal Ahad teaches in the Institute of Business Adminstration at the University of Dhaka. He is an expert in microfinance and a close friend of Muhammad Yunus. He are I are going to try to get some one on one time together. Another professor has closed down his class and they are working on Cyclone relief. We are exploring the possibility that I might join them when I complete my schedule on December 14. They were all very cordial and interested in my portrayal. Although I did not have time to do my portrayal - I was able to speak before the group for a few minutes.

This trip continues to be an amazing unfoldment. Tomorrow (Sunday) we return to Grameen Bank headquarters where we will spend the final three days - except for a field trip to witness Urban microcredit - which only recently they got government approval to do.

It is 11:00 PM - Good Night All

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Comments

[Lynn Cederquist]

Amazing Hospital
Marty this is a fasinating journey you are taking. Now you can tell every one 'first hand' about the hospital, cost of surgery etc. Maybe we could round up people for a 'Group Rate'... How much is your hotel per night? Maybe you could fack a bad back and slip over to the hospital for a night or two for a better bed. I gave your Blog information to Jane from the Quaker community. Glad to hear all is well. Lynn

[MartyJ]

Response
Hi Lynn - I appreciate your feedback each day. You and Ron and Jane are the only ones responding - it is nice to hear from people. I don't know what the normal room rate is here - it is a part of my $1,500 package for the 10 or so days. I'll ask at the desk. My back is better since getting back to a real mattress. Several of us have been fighting off colds - primarily drippy nose - but doesn't seem to be getting worse.

[Rose Wills]

Hi Marty, It would be interesting to hear about the use of solar energy in Bangladesh/India. What have you discovered? Rose

[MartyJ]

Solar in Bangladesh
Yesterday I met with Grameen Shakti which is their alternative energy business that focues on Solar lighting. They have installed 120,000 home systems. A 50 Watt solar system using flourescent lights sells for $400 and there are various microcredit programs to pay for it. I hope to go back today and actually see the system. They purchase the solar panel from Kyocera in Japan and the integrate components. I hope to learn more. The provided lots of literature that I have not had time to study.