Professional bodies limit general public’s access to healthcare

It is most unfortunate that at a time when our already fragile healthcare system is taking a blow from the surging number of coronavirus cases, a report published in this paper reveals the shocking practice of "booking" of private hospitals by the upper echelons of society. Flexing their muscles, a number of influential and professional bodies like Bangladesh Judicial Service Association, Bangladesh Police, Supreme Court Bar Association, Broadcast Journalist Centre and Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), among others, have already reserved beds or entire hospitals for their members or are pushing to do so. What is more bewildering is that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) recently asked three private hospitals in the capital to provide treatment to the members of the Supreme Court Bar Association and their families who are infected with Covid-19.

We cannot help but ask, with such "special arrangements" underway, what will happen to ordinary people, many of whom have already been denied treatment? This daily has reported time and again about the sorry state of our hospitals due to the alarming lack of preparedness. It has become difficult for Covid-19 patients to get beds, especially in ICUs, at private hospitals, as only a handful of those provide treatment to such patients.

Denying healthcare is a violation of human rights and under no circumstances can we, as a society, condone a practice of arranging preferential treatment to the influential while depriving access to ordinary people. The situation has exposed the acute shortage of critical healthcare and the inequities that prevail in accessing it. Healthcare is a right for all and not the privilege of a few.

During such crucial times, we need all hands on deck. The government must form quick response teams to provide assistance to every patient, regardless of their social status or profession. It is imperative that the authorities mandate equal treatment for all during this pandemic to ensure that no more suffering and unnecessary loss of life is allowed due to negligence and discriminatory practices.