Staff Reporter :
Ganashathya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Saturday alleged that the private hospitals in Bangladesh are committing robbery in the name of Covid-19 treatment.
The renowned physician said that Covid-19 patients are being forced to pay excessive cost for medical treatment.
He said, the cost of 1,000 litres of oxygen is Taka 70 only but some hospitals are realising Taka 15,000-20,000 from the patients.Dr. Zafrullah said, “Doctors are also taking commission forcing patients for various types of diagnostic tests.”
He said patients could file cases against the hospitals under Section 420.
“It is totally undesirable what is happening in the name of treatment in the country now. The government should take strict action so that common people don’t become the victims of fraudulent practices of the private hospitals, and can afford the treatment costs,” he said.
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury said it while addressing at a debating competition as the Chief Guest of the shadow government about the second wave of Coronavirus infection at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation at Tejgaon in the city.
Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron presided over the function.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said the government could procure the vaccine through its own pharmaceutical companies.
“If it had been done, it could have been possible to save $2 dollars against a single dose of vaccine,” he said.
He said it was Ganashasthya Pharmaceuticals Ltd, which first tried to introduce antigen tests for Coronavirus infection treatment. But, it could not be possible due to lack of permission from the government.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury suggested that the government should take measures to promote the home-made vaccine like Globe Biotech Ltd.
The Ganashathya Kendra founder also called for creating awareness among people to cope with the second wave of Coronavirus infection.
He called for distributing masks among the masses as as a public service incentive.
The debaters of the opposition Bangladesh University of Business and Technology won the debate competition defeating the debaters of ruling BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology.
