An American woman shared her experience after a thumb injury in India cost just ₹50, praising the country’s affordable healthcare. An American woman living in India has drawn attention online after sharing her experience with the country’s healthcare system. Kristen Fischer, who has spent several years in India, posted a video on Instagram describing how a routine mishap became a lesson in affordability and accessibility.
“Okay, let me tell you a story about my experience with healthcare in India,” Fischer begins. She recalls how she cut her thumb badly while chopping vegetables. “It was bleeding a lot, and I tried everything I could to stop it. Finally, I turned to Tim and said, I think I need to go get some stitches.”
She described cycling to a nearby hospital with her finger wrapped in a bandage. “They brought me into their little emergency room, and I showed them the bandage covered in blood. Nurses and doctors tried to stop the bleeding, and eventually one nurse wrapped it in a way that worked. They told me I might not even need stitches.”
What shocked Fischer most was the bill. “I went to the reception to pay, and they only charged me 50 rupees. The whole ordeal took about 45 minutes,” she explained. She contrasted this with the United States, where “if you step foot into an emergency room, you’ll be charged a minimum of 2,000 dollars just right off the bat.”
She highlighted three aspects that stood out. First, the hospital was close enough to reach by cycle. Second, there was no waiting time in the emergency room. Third, the cost was almost negligible compared to what she would have faced back home. “Just another reason why I love Indian healthcare so much,” she concluded.
