The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is going to resume its drives against unregistered hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers after a three-month break. The hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers, which have already applied but are yet to get registered, will also not be allowed to run their operations. There are around 2,000 unregistered establishments in operation, which have no necessary documents to get registered. The DGHS said legal action will be taken against the doctors if anyone is found working for any unregistered institution.
The health directorate has closed a total of 1,641 illegal clinics and hospitals in the last three months while 1,489 received licenses and the registration of 2,930 was renewed. At the same time, the government bagged over Tk 251.8 million. Nearly 2,529 more applications seeking registration remain pending to the directorate.
Over the last several years we have seen a mushroom growth of private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres across the country. Of them, some provide good services while many others are unable to do that. It is startling to note that a number of patients over the last several years have died due to wrong treatment or doctor’s mistake in the operation theatre of some illegal clinics. Therefore, if the government gets tough on the dishonest syndicate, it will help bring discipline in the private hospitals and ensure better treatment for patients. The government will also have to take an initiative to fix the charges of medical services at private hospitals according to their service standards in a bid to reduce the harassment of patients.
To restore people’s confidence in the country’s healthcare system, the DGHS should emphasise not only the size and equipment at the centres but also the mentality of healthcare providers and hospital management. We must stop capital flights in the name of healthcare by improving service, discharging quality and behaviour of the hospital and clinic management.
