FE Today Logo

Private practices at govt hospitals begins Thursday

FE REPORT | March 28, 2023 00:00:00


Private practices at the public healthcare facilities by the government doctors after their scheduled office hours will begin on Thursday as a pilot scheme, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Monday.

"The government decided to allow people to get consultations from the government-employed doctors between 3.00pm and 6.00pm subject to a payment of honorarium at public hospitals across 10 districts and 20 upazillas from March 30," he told a briefing at the ministry.

Mr Maleque said many patients, who cannot avail the doctors' consultation free of cost during office hours between 8.00am and 2.30pm, have to visit doctors at private organisations causing extra expenses for them.

"People's healthcare expenditure increased as the fee is higher at the private organisations," he said, explaining that the government has taken the decision for the welfare of the patients.

Service recipients will also get different diagnostic services during the period, he added.

The minister made the announcement while he was addressing as the chair of a meeting to finalise institutional practice guideline 2023 held at the health ministry's conference room, according to a statement.

He said the government took various initiatives to determine the causes behind the rise of healthcare expenditures and the way forward.

"As per the effort, the institutional practice at late afternoon is beginning at a smaller scale," he said, adding that the service will be introduced to other regions upon success of the pilot scheme.

Regarding the fees of late afternoon consultation, the minister said a physician equivalent to professor level will get TK 400, while two assistants working with him/her will get Tk 50 each.

Associate professors or senior consultants will get Tk 300 and junior consultants Tk 200, while their two assistants will get Tk 50 each.

A doctor will provide the service three hours for two days only in a week, he said, laying emphasis on ensuring availability of services for all working days.

Top officials including Secretary to the Health Services Division Anwar Hossain Howlader and Director General of DGHS ABM Khurshid Alam were present at the meeting among others.

Responding to queries whether doctors will work for additional three hours, Anwar Hossain Howlader said all public servants including doctors are bound to provide 24 hours service if required.

[email protected]


Share if you like