As reported by this daily on Saturday, the health ministry has taken some 22 special steps to prevent and ultimately eliminate corruption and irregularities in the health sector.
It is encouraging to note that against the backdrop of myriad allegations of corruption, irregularities and mismanagement against a section of officials including physicians and employees of the health sector, the government has vowed to take a tough stance against the culprits.
Reportedly, the special steps include addressing the problems faced by patients at the hands of brokers in most of the city public hospitals, shutting down unauthorized private clinics and diagnostic centres and illegal drugs factories.
Despite a few remarkable achievements, health sector of Bangladesh has long been struggling to provide comprehensive healthcare services. Having the perception of nucleus of medical services in Bangladesh, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) enjoys the highest government support among the health service organisations in the country. But it is discouraging to note that that mismanagement, shortage of on-duty physicians and illegal prowling of brokers have long been regular features of the DMCH. The scenario is almost similar in most of the public hospitals in the country.
It is high time to devise apt interventions to
bring about necessary improvements at all
the departments of the public hospitals
Considering the aforementioned problems, health authorities should look forward to increasing manpower at the public hospitals to provide better services. All the public hospitals should have an adequate number of on-duty physicians to serve the patients. Besides, necessary steps should be taken to prevent illegal entry of brokers. It is high time to devise apt interventions to bring about necessary improvements at all the departments of the public hospitals.
On the other hand, it is very unfortunate for us as a nation that our government spends a hefty amount from its budget to create doctors and equip them with adequate training, but most of the doctors working in public hospitals are deviating from the original purpose of their noble profession engaging themselves in private practices, shirking their duties at their respective workplaces. In order to put an end to such unethical practices, constant vigilance on the part of authorities concerned is a must. We believe, those doctors, who do not have the spirit to serve the people, should quit the job.
Also, for restoring order in the healthcare sector, illegal practice of diagnostic business must stop once for all. Last but not the least, necessary steps should be taken to check the alarming growth of fake medicine across the country and hold the purveyors of counterfeit medicine to account.