Govt to set service charges for private hospitals: Minister

The government is planning to set the charges of services provided by private hospitals and health clinics, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said yesterday.

“It's a complex process but once implemented, it'll help ensure that service seekers aren't cheated,” he told a media conference at the Secretariat ahead of the National Health Service Week.

The minister said the fees are already fixed at public hospitals. Private hospitals have been asked to submit a list of service fees. The government will then grade the quality of services and finalise the chart.

“It's difficult to set the rates ... [but] we'll find out a way after talks with stakeholders,” he said. “We're trying to cut treatment costs.”

He said the National Health Services Week, scheduled for April 16-20, aims at raising awareness about health. The programmes include cleanliness drives, free treatment, special medical services and special outdoor services by specialist doctors.