'Don't burden patients with unnecessary tests, services'

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has urged private healthcare facilities to refrain from burdening patients with unnecessary diagnostic tests and other medical services for the sake of additional fees.

"Just take what is needed for necessary [healthcare] services," Zahid Maleque said while addressing a reception programme honouring him organised by Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA) at a Dhaka hotel tonight.

The minister said the quality of education in private medical colleges has improved, which is why foreign students come here for medical education every year.

Medical colleges in the country earn around Tk 2,000-3,000 crore from foreign students admissions, he added.

"But the quality of education in some institutions has not improved yet, which is hampering the goodwill of this sector [private medical colleges]."

Speaking at the same event, Dr ABM Abdullah, emeritus professor and personal physician of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also urged to control the increasing healthcare cost in the private sector.

"It is high time to cap the healthcare cost in the private sector," Dr ABM Abdullah said.

BPMCA gave the reception to the minister on behalf of the private health sector for his "success in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic" among other achievements.

At the same event, a total of 35 private institutions and 10 personalities were also graced as "Covid-19 heroes".