Govt to fix medical fees at private hospitals, clinics

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday said the government has taken an initiative to fix medical fees at private hospitals as the excessive charges cause immense sufferings to patients.

“Out of pocket expenditure has increased as most private hospitals are charging exhorbitantly on patients…. Fees will be determined on the basis of standard of different private hospitals,” he told a meeting on “Incorporating private sector in healthcare facilities” at the health ministry’s conference room at secretariat, a press release said.

Besides, steps would be taken to shut down the sub-standard private clinics which have witnessed mushroom growth over the years, he said.

Secretary of Health Service Division Abdul Mannan, Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam and President of Bangladesh Private Medical Association Professor Dr Mubin Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.

Citing various reasons for increase of out of pocket expenses, the health minister said other key reasons for higher medical cost include taking treatment from abroad, dependence on private hospitals, and price hike of medicines.

Maleque said a section of private hospitals and clinics are charging very high from patients, creating huge financial burden on ordinary patients.

There are a large number of clinics in the country. Many clinics don’t provide quality healthcare services to people.

“We are working to fix a set of standards for all private hospitals and clinics in the country to ensure quality medical services,” he added.