Private healthcare service
Saturday, 19 July 2008
HEALTH is an important issue for a nation. The government's healthcare structure is very big, yet inadequate to meet the needs of the vast population. The private healthcare sector is ever-expanding. There are thousands of clinics in Dhaka city alone, while there are thousands of pathological centres around the country.
In such a situation, the government came up recently with an idea to properly regulate the private health care service providers so that patients' rights are protected and the sector flourishes and provides quality health services. The committee that is to review the 1982 Act and provide recommendations has been directed to give priority to the issue of waste management by medical institutions. This is a welcome move. Hospitals, clinics and pathological centres should dispose of medical waste in safe and in an environmentally sustainable way.
But these institutions have continued to dispose of their waste mainly through the sewerage systems and in open garbage areas, thereby greatly increasing the public health risks to the people. There is also an allegation that a section of unscrupulous traders resell some of the wastes like used bandages and syringes. Given this scenario, the authorities should have taken appropriate steps much earlier to ensure proper waste disposal and taken to task those who indulge in such fraudulent and criminal practices as reselling of medical waste.
Although the private healthcare service is needed, there are many private hospitals, clinics and pathological centres which are ill-equipped, ill-staffed and ill-managed. Given this reality, the government's move could help them operate properly. The health sector as a whole needs full attention of the authorities.
Ahmed Rezaur Rahman
Dhanmandi , Dhaka
In such a situation, the government came up recently with an idea to properly regulate the private health care service providers so that patients' rights are protected and the sector flourishes and provides quality health services. The committee that is to review the 1982 Act and provide recommendations has been directed to give priority to the issue of waste management by medical institutions. This is a welcome move. Hospitals, clinics and pathological centres should dispose of medical waste in safe and in an environmentally sustainable way.
But these institutions have continued to dispose of their waste mainly through the sewerage systems and in open garbage areas, thereby greatly increasing the public health risks to the people. There is also an allegation that a section of unscrupulous traders resell some of the wastes like used bandages and syringes. Given this scenario, the authorities should have taken appropriate steps much earlier to ensure proper waste disposal and taken to task those who indulge in such fraudulent and criminal practices as reselling of medical waste.
Although the private healthcare service is needed, there are many private hospitals, clinics and pathological centres which are ill-equipped, ill-staffed and ill-managed. Given this reality, the government's move could help them operate properly. The health sector as a whole needs full attention of the authorities.
Ahmed Rezaur Rahman
Dhanmandi , Dhaka