We commend the High Court for ordering private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres to submit revised charts of fees for medical tests to the court. During the hearing of a writ petition, the court also ordered the authorities concerned to inform it of the progress made in formulating guidelines to monitor these private healthcare facilities under the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance-1982.

Last year, following the same writ petition, the HC had directed the private healthcare facilities to display the chart of their fees in public view. It had then asked the health secretary, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council to execute the directives. Although the authorities concerned were supposed to form a committee to execute the directives within 60 days of getting the order, we still do not know how much progress has been made in this regard.

There have been widespread allegations against the private healthcare facilities of the country of charging exorbitant fees for various medical tests. The irregularities of the hospitals in providing treatment to patients—both Covid and non-Covid—have been vividly exposed during this coronavirus pandemic. While many patients were denied treatment by the hospitals, those which provided treatment charged exorbitant fees for their services. It was reported in The Daily Star last July how Covid-19 patients were handed ghostly bills for getting oxygen support—one patient, for example, was charged Tk 86,400 for less than one hour of oxygen support in a city hospital! Besides, as the media reported, patients also had to pay higher charges for other essential services in the hospitals during this time.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres have fixed rates for all medical tests and services and have a chart of their fees displayed in public view. This will not only be helpful for the patients but also will prevent the hospital staff from resorting to any corrupt practices. The High Court's order in this regard is very timely and should be complied with by all private healthcare facilities.