Health Minister Zahid Maleque Thursday said the government is taking initiatives to fix fees for private hospital to reduce treatment cost.
"Many private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres are overcharging medical fees...meaning treatment cost has increased in many times." He told a meeting with representatives of private hospital at his ministry, a press release said.
The minister said private hospitals will be made into three categories -- A, B and C -- as per their service standard. People are costing huge amount of money while they are taking medical services from different private hospitals creating massive burden on common people, he added.
Maleque said, "We are working to improve healthcare system across the country incorporating better management in both public and private hospitals."
In rural areas, village doctors are prescribing antibiotics and gastric medicines, he said adding "This practice must be stopped as it is creating negative impact on human body."
The health ministry sources said formulation of new law is underway for stopping misuse of antibiotics.
"The Drug Act-2022 is almost finalized ...it (law) will be placed at the Jatiya Sangsad very soon," he said.
The minister said after formulation of the new Drug Law, no pharmacies will be allowed to sell antibiotic medicines without doctor's prescription.