HC asks medical centres: Fix diagnostic fees in two months

Dhaka, Oct 22 – The High Court on Monday asked the authorities of all private clinics, hospitals, laboratories and diagnostic centres across the country to fix the rates of all medical examinations within two months. An HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
The HC also asked the previously formed five-member committee of the Health Ministry to implement the court order.
Advocate Bashir Ahmed stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Motahar Hossain represented the state.
The court also asked the committee to make a policy according to the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (regulation) Ordinance 1982 and also fixed January 9 for submission of the progress report in this regard, said Advocate Bashir Ahmed.
Earlier on July 24, the High Court asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps for displaying the rate chart of all medical tests in all private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres within fifteen days.
Health Secretary, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council have been asked to implement the order.
On the same day, the HC also asked the authorities concerned to form a special committee for making a policy according to the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (regulation) Ordinance, 1982 and implement it within 60 days.
Besides, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the authorities concerned should not be asked to form a policy according to the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (regulation) Ordinance, 1982 for approving the license of hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres and monitor the health services.
It also asked the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to install Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/Coronary Care Unit (CCU) in all the sadar hospitals in the country.
Health Secretary, Director General of the Directorate of Health Services (DGHS), Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, IGP, and Rab DG have been made respondents to the rule.
Shah Alam, a treasurer of Human Rights Lawyers and Securing Environment Society of Bangladesh filed the writ petition seeking a chart of charges of medical tests on July 11. – UNB