The New Nation - Internet Edition

Grameen Healthcare Trust and Saudi German Hospital Group of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement some months back to establish a corporate body to bring health services to the poor and disadvantaged people of Bangladesh. The proposed business combine was supposed to establish hospitals, clinics and other health-related services. This social business would be operated on 'non-loss and non-dividend' basis. Profits of the business would be invested back to expand or improve the company's capacity to achieve the social goal for which it is established.

Medical facilities in Bangladesh is very costly and out of the reach of the poor and low-income group of people. The doctors charge high fees from the patients. Diagnosis of diseases and medicines are also very costly. Poor people cannot afford it. Public health facility is also very limited.

The doctors in the public health sector are allegedly too busy with private practice. The poorer sections of the people have no alternative other than going without medicine. In acute situation, they depend on quacks for treatment which merely leads to further complication of the diseases. In this situation any initiative to reach treatment to the poor will be welcomed by all.

The proposed business organisation is not going to provide free medical services. It will make profit. But service, not profit making, should be the motive force behind the initiative. So the initiators shall have to keep charges for treatment within affordable limit of the poor.

The targeted people may be brought under medical insurance coverage with lowest possible premiums payable. If charges are not kept low, the proposed hospitals and clinics will turn into medical facilities at low cost for the financially able persons. Let not this social business turn into another device for exploiting the poor!

Ariful Huq

Dhaka