Govt to fix fees for healthcare services at private hospitals: Health minister

The government will soon fix fees for healthcare services at different private hospitals according to their standard of service in a bid to reduce harassment of patients, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

"Various charges at different hospitals result in harassment of people. That's why the government has taken an initiative to fix charges of medical services at private hospitals. A step will be taken soon in this regard after a meeting with representatives from private hospitals," he said.

 The minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters after a meeting at the secretariat.

Clinics are sprouting like mushrooms everywhere in the country, the minister said.

"Although some of them are providing good services, many others are unable to do so. Even they don't have adequate medical equipment," said the minister. 

Zahid Maleque said the government will soon set service standards for clinics and those who fail to maintain that will be shut down.