Cheating on medical reports
A Mawaz, Dhaka
As indicated in the DS report of July 11, cheating and swindling in medical diagnostic tests and issuance of medical reports have become big business, in a sustained environment of corrupt practices, not only in Bangladesh, but in many countries, developed and developing. I am myself a victim of it in Dhaka (and my family members), having had to spend around Tk 10,000 for seemingly unnecessary medical tests (nothing negative found, before a cataract operation, and during a sickness). Later, for the sickness I was prescribed a tablet costing only Tk 10. It is suspected that the doctors get a commission on prescribing extra tests. There is no government or independent body for monitoring and regulation (not publicised, BNA to note), where aggrieved patients could seek investigation and redress. The specialists are doing roaring business, waiting for the next patient in the waiting room. The PR policy of the GoB is amateurish. It leaves out the grey areas of non-development (especially in the services sector). The PID has to prod the ministries on the basis of daily feedback on the mass media. Simply sending clips to the ministries is not enough. Perhaps we need PR Ombudsmen!
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