naysayer
The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, or BSMMU, Bangladesh’s only postgraduate medical teaching hospital and an autonomous institution, introduced the scheme as a pilot project. The government wants to copy this model and present it in government hospitals across the country.
Dr Rashid-e-Mahboob, former president of the Bangladesh Medical Association, said the plan needed more understanding for them as charging people to get diagnosed within the grounds of a state-owned hospital and within the parameters of the hospital’s regulations Working outside is against service rules. For doctors working in Govt.
The private practice of doctors is regulated under the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance of 1982.
The fourth provision of the ordinance clearly states that doctors working in the government cannot
Work for your private practice during your office hours.
“It was illegal before, and it still is [charging people for diagnosing], As of now, it is a public offence. Who will take responsibility when the law knocks at your door?” They said.
He also believes that if the relevant authorities eventually give the green signal to the program, it could open a Pandora’s box for other government service providers.
“Then the police will start charging people who seek help, engineers will bring their independent commissioned jobs into the government workplace, and veterinary surgeons and agricultural specialists will follow. Now who will care about his government work?
Public health expert Dr. Abu Jameel Faisal believes that patients and young doctors can benefit from this scheme, as the fees will be at a fixed rate [minister Maleque posited Tk 200 per patient] Which will be like a relief for patients with limited budget. The scope of young doctors to see more patients and study them will enrich their experience level.
However, Dr Abu Jameel believes that the government needs to include well-known and specialized doctors in the programme.
He presented the case of BSMMU which could attract more senior doctors to participate in its programme.
“Hardly any senior doctor attends patients in the hospital [BSMMU] Aadhaar now because they can charge at least 1,000 Taka per patient in their outdoor practice, while they are not allowed to charge more than 200 Taka here,” he said.
