25/04/2025
A Canadian cancer patient was asked to wait 13 MONTHS for an MRI - to see if she had brain tumours.
She could be dead before even being diagnosed.
Her doctor recommended an ‘urgent’ scan in December 2024.
But the date she got was in 2026.
When the patient followed up, the clinic confirmed:
"Yes, the doctor said you should have it earlier, but this is the next spot we have."
Meanwhile in India, I can refer a patient for an MRI today, and they'll likely get it within HOURS.
Two countries. Two approaches to healthcare. Let's break this down:
▶︎ 1. Time vs Access
Canada offers universal healthcare that's free but slow. India's system is faster but depends partly on your ability to pay. In urgent cases like cancer, this speed difference can be lifesaving.
▶︎ 2. Resource Utilisation
Indian hospitals run their MRI machines almost 24/7. Many centres operate at 90% capacity compared to 60-70% in Canada. We prioritise maximising the use of available technology.
▶︎ 3. Public-Private Partnership
India has a dual system where you can choose government or private care. This creates multiple access points and reduces bottlenecks. Canada's single-payer model creates queues when demand exceeds supply.
▶︎ 4. Practical Solutions
Our system isn't perfect, but we've found creative ways to deliver care efficiently. Telemedicine, night shifts for radiology teams, and specialized diagnostic centers help ensure timely care.
The irony? Canada has 14+ MRI machines per million people. India has just 2-3 per million.
Yet in many cases, we deliver faster care despite fewer resources.
This isn't about declaring one system "better" than the other. Both have strengths and weaknesses.
Canada offers healthcare security to all citizens regardless of income.
India offers speed but sometimes at the expense of equal access, especially in rural areas.
But when it comes to life-threatening conditions like cancer, waiting 13 months for a diagnostic scan isn't just inconvenient - it's potentially deadly.
Which healthcare ecosystem would you be a part of? India or Canada?
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