“From March 30 in the government hospital Baikal health care will begin”
– Health Minister
Dhaka: March 27, 2023 AD.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Malek, MP said, “Doctors see patients free from 8 am to 2.30 pm in government hospitals. In the afternoon, many people were unable to get treatment and showed up to private institutions outside. As the ‘fees’ of private institutions are high, the medical expenses of the people of the country increase manifoldFor this reason, the government has decided that from March 30, 2023, people will be able to receive medical treatment by paying a nominal fee to government doctors in 10 districts and 20 upazila hospitals of the country from 3 pm to 6 pm. Along with this, various health tests can also be done at the same time.”
This was said by Health Minister Zahid Malek, MP in a meeting related to the finalization of Institutional Practice Policy-2023 in the meeting room of the Ministry of Health this afternoon.
In the meeting, the minister said that why the medical expenses of the people are increasing have been discussed from time to time. The quality of service has been verified in district and upazila hospitals by visiting all the departments of the country. Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), the independent doctors’ association (SWACHI) and the organizations of doctors and leaders of the country have discussed these issues at various levels. Hon’ble Prime Minister also has instructions regarding increasing the health care of the people of the country. All things considered, this Baikal Institutional Practice is being started on a small scale for the time being as a part of various initiatives to increase the quality of health care for the people of the country on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Seeing the benefits of this work, the Baikal healthcare system will be introduced in all district and upazila hospitals of the country very soon.
The Minister of Health said about the determination of honorarium fees for doctors and related staff in public hospitals, the professor level fee is 400 taka and his 2 assistants will get taka 50 each. Associate professors or senior consultants will get Tk 300, assistant professors or junior consultants or doctors of equivalent level will get Tk 200 and 2 assistants will get Tk 50. In addition to this, the health minister said that the hospital would also set a fee for surgery, diagnostic/clinical/para-clinical tests and other types of tests. Regarding how many days the government doctors will be on duty in a week, the health minister said that a doctor has to provide 3 hours extra service only 2 days a week. However, it should be ensured that people get this service at least 6 days a week.
The secretary of the health service department said in the meeting whether the doctors will perform their duties for an additional 3 hours. Md. Anwar Hossain Howladar said that all government officials including doctors should provide 24-hour service if the government needs it. This is the rule. In that case, all levels of government officials and employees will be bound to follow the instructions of the government.
Under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health, Secretary of Health Education and Family Welfare Department Md. Azizur Rahman, Director General of Health Directorate Professor Dr. Abul Basar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Director General of the Department of Health Education Professor Dr. Md. Tito Mia, Secretary General of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA). Ehteshamul Haque Chowdhury, President of the Swabandha Prasiktan Parishad (Secretary) Professor Dr. Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, Secretary General Professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Milan, Principal of Dhaka Medical College, Principal of Suhrawardy Medical College and other individuals
