For those of you in Andhra Pradesh, India for MDR cases

[Zeban 1]

I know that the Chennai facility has approved only the following for the medical examination:

Vijaya Diagnostic Center: This facility is the Panel Physician’s approved center for conducting blood tests and taking x-rays. You must make an appointment with Dr. Rajkumar Songa prior to arrival at the center. Please allow at least two weeks before your scheduled Immigrant Visa interview appointment for the tests to be completed and sent to the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai.

Vijaya Diagnostic Center, #3-6-16 & 17, Street #19, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad – 500 029 Physical Examination by Panel Physician: Make your own arrangements for examination by Dr.

Rajkumar Songa, the Panel Physician, at DrRajKSongaUS@gmail.com

That is telling me the guy who does the exam is a male, my wife is VERY UNCOMFORTABLE with getting the examination done by a male, and i heard around here that they make you get naked, my wife refuses to get naked in front of a male doctor and i refuse it too! #######!?!

What is going on, arent there any other options?

Sorry for a crazy vent but i need to know.

ALSO when can she go in for medical? now or AFTER she gets her appointment letter?

[sachinky 464]

My physical examination was done by a male doctor as well. They don't make you get 'naked' per se, (I had to wear one of those hideous surgery gowns) but yes, there is an examination of private parts. Which is never comfortable, if you ask me, irrespective of the gender of the doctor. There is also a female nurse present during the entire examination, if that helps. I don't know if you can request for another doctor -- as far as I know US immigration requires the medical to be completed by a certified Panel Physician.

For India, you can only complete the medical after your interview date has been assigned.

Edited August 2, 2010 by sachinky

[bobby_kvisa 7]

You should be able to call that approved Physician office and ask him all the questions you mentioned - What is required for the medical exam, What is required to make an appointment (interview letter, etc), How long does it take to get results, AND do they have female examiners.

Most likely in India they will have female examiners because of simple cultural norms. I would be surprised if they did not, but you should inquire within to make sure. Also since it is India, most likely a member of the family (mom, sister, aunt, bhabi, etc) can go in with her to every exam room and every test to make her feel comfortable.

[sachinky 464]

My mom sat in the doctor's office but she wasn't allowed in the 'examination compartment area.'

[bobby_kvisa 7]

That's amazing - I can't believe it.

I guess my wife will feel uncomfortable, too. *sigh*

[Zeban 1]

I just spent 1.5 hours on the phone trying to find someone who spoke english at Apollo medical center in Chennai.

I found 2 people Andeepa and Noorjahan,

Noorjahan especially was amazing, she personally said that she would ensure the privacy and make sure that my wife will get a female doctor. in a private room.

I got tears in my eyes, my wife and i are SUPPPPEEERRR sentimental and my wife is EXTREMELY sensitive, she was like i am NOT showing my body to a male other than you, its just not happening, and if that means im staying in hyderabad, then thats what it means, i agreed. I really dont mean to offend anyone, its just our POV, i am not implying ANYTHING please please do not be offended.

But GOD in his infinite mercy has deemed a female physician for the medical examination. really, it may seem like a small thing, but for my wife and i its a huge thing big enough to bring tears to both of our eyes, because at one point we were like we wont see each other in the states, but thank GOD. alhamdulillah.

Aside from that, i will be sending my wife from Hyderabad to Chennai. that is quite a bit of $$$$$ and im not sending her on a train, ive seen enough indian movies to know what happens there.

[sachinky 464]

Glad you got that worked out, Zeban.

For me it's not such a big deal, I just suck it up--I've had male doctors examine me in the US while I was in college, at the end of the day, they're just doctors -- but I can understand why it would or can be a big deal for other woman so I'm glad you were able to ensure your wife's comfort and privacy.

[Zeban 1]

That's amazing - I can't believe it.

I guess my wife will feel uncomfortable, too. *sigh*

Bobby not necessarily, if your wife and you are concerned about your privacy, the Apollo Heart centre has female panel physicians available without males for female examination. My wife was happy, so your wife doesnt have to feel uncomfortable.

Glad you got that worked out, Zeban.

For me it's not such a big deal, I just suck it up--I've had male doctors examine me in the US while I was in college, at the end of the day, they're just doctors -- but I can understand why it would or can be a big deal for other woman so I'm glad you were able to ensure your wife's comfort and privacy.

Well, im glad that you are able to suck it up. Beyond just a religous reason (although in Islam, females are allowed to treat males and males are allowed to treat females ) my wife was just adamant about the fact that she will not have any one else conduct her private exam beside a female. For me to stay on the phone and figure out how i can make my wife feel comfortable, really makes me feel good. I really like the fact that i was able to dig around and find someone! Im sure my wife appreciates that very much too since she said if i cant see a female doctor im not coming! lol

[sarahH 0]

hey zeban!!! i read above about how ur sending your wife to chennai for the medical exam!!! really sweet of u to go thru soooo much for ur wife and to make her comfortable.im from hyderabad and wil b traveling to chennai too. so quick q which flight r u gonna send ur wife thru and did u look into any accomadation details for her stay at chennai. im trying look into the same info. would appreciate the insight!!! also funny thing !!!! my husband stay in chicago too!!! oh another quick question. does the chennai counsulate hand us the visa the same day if( inshallah!!! by Allah's grace) our visa is approved??? i made travel arrangements for a different country for the day after that. (hence the question) .

[LotofPatience 65]

hey zeban!!! i read above about how ur sending your wife to chennai for the medical exam!!! really sweet of u to go thru soooo much for ur wife and to make her comfortable.im from hyderabad and wil b traveling to chennai too. so quick q which flight r u gonna send ur wife thru and did u look into any accomadation details for her stay at chennai. im trying look into the same info. would appreciate the insight!!! also funny thing !!!! my husband stay in chicago too!!! oh another quick question. does the chennai counsulate hand us the visa the same day if( inshallah!!! by Allah's grace) our visa is approved??? i made travel arrangements for a different country for the day after that. (hence the question) .

Sarah,

Please refer this link: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/typ_faq.html

Most (not all) passports will be stamped the visa and handed over to VFS office (in your case, Chennai VFS) in the evening of the interview and you can arrange a counter collection from VFS Chennai office.

But there is a slight possibility to hand it over to the VFS on the next day as well. Also, interviews are all not 100% success, but I wish yours will be a 'piece of cake'!

Loto

[sarahH 0]

aww man ! u gave my heart a lil skip there ... with the line".... not all interviews are 100% sucess" ouch! i hope that soo doesn happen with me... oh no no no. lol. but thanks for the info. im tryina arrange n pre paln my travel and stay at chennai.

[IndigoSkies 168]

I just checked the list of doctors recommanded by Dhaka Embassy. There's a male doctor and there's a female doctor. Thank Allah. Why is this not the case in India? You should be able to chose if you want to go to the female doctor or the male doctor.

And you shouldn't apologise or feel apologetic for wanting a male doctor or female doctor. It's you human right. If you don't want your wife to be examined by a male, demand a female doctor. Don't relent until they met your demands. We don't live at other people's whim.

[LotofPatience 65]

aww man ! u gave my heart a lil skip there ... with the line".... not all interviews are 100% sucess" ouch! i hope that soo doesn happen with me... oh no no no. lol. but thanks for the info. im tryina arrange n pre paln my travel and stay at chennai.

99.99% pre-planning will work

I hope yours will be in this 99.99% list

When my wife went to immigrant visa 2 years back, I think she was able to collect it from the counter on the same day and interview was an easy go.

Loto

[sarahH 0]

InshAlaah! i hope it will. n thanks again for the info and pointing me in the right direction.

[LotofPatience 65]

InshAlaah! i hope it will. n thanks again for the info and pointing me in the right direction.

Normally, Chennai CO holds very few (again very few) male applicants for AP.

I personally know 2 cases in the past:

1) Hyd's hubby

2) Indianheart's husband

Loto