Nikita Bier, Product Head of X and a close aide to Elon Musk, recently sparked an online debate after sharing a personal healthcare experience.
In his post, Bier revealed that he injured his throat while eating a piece of fried chicken, leaving him barely able to swallow or speak. When he sought medical attention, doctors advised him to undergo an endoscopy, a commonly performed diagnostic procedure used to examine the upper digestive tract.
However, Bier noted that the earliest available appointment for the procedure was four to six weeks away.
“Ate a piece of fried chicken tonight. It somehow tore part of my throat going down. Now I can barely swallow or speak,” Bier wrote.“Doctor says, ‘You can get it checked out with an endoscopy. Earliest availability is in four to six weeks.’”
According to NHS, An endoscopy is a routine diagnostic test used to look inside the body using a thin, flexible tube with a camera, usually passed through the mouth. In many cases, it is essential for identifying injuries, bleeding, or blockages at an early stage.
Several users echoed similar experiences in response to his post.
"My son had a stomach issue that needed a specialist. Had to wait 6 months in Australia to get an appointment, meanwhile my son had bleeding and pain while waiting that whole time."
Another user wrote, “I waited nine months for an endoscopy in the UK for indigestion. This is just normal here.”
Several users, including Indians responding to Bier’s post, highlighted the speed and accessibility of healthcare in India.
“Just book a trip to India, get it done in a day and fly back,” one user commented.
“Fly to India. You will get to see a top doctor within an hour of landing, and an endoscopy and further consultation within the next six hours. You can be back home in three days flat.”
Entrepreneur Aman Gairola also praised India’s healthcare system, saying, “It would take 48 hours in a worst case scenario here. People never realise the amenities the country provides. Surely there are shortcomings, but it is getting better each day.”
(Rh/VK)