Private clinics in Rajshahi doing test business

RAJSHAHI, Dec 25: Several thousands of people from different upazilas and nearby districts come to the city hospital and clinics for quality treatment regularly.
Doctors give them many tests for identifying diseases. So they have to go to private clinics and diagnostic centres for the tests.
But it was alleged the patients have to count huge amount of money to do those tests. Allegation has been raised that those private clinics are doing test business taking huge money from the patients regularly. Even some private clinics pay commissions to doctors to give unnecessary tests.
According to field sources, taking this chance, the private clinics compel the patients to do unnecessary tests. Generally, the doctors of the private clinics and hospitals don't give prescription without any tests.
As a result, the patients have become helpless. They come from distant districts for quality treatment, but they have to count huge money in doing the tests.
The authority concerned should take necessary actions to control the private clinics and diagnostic centres, patients demanded.
In a field investigation recently, this correspondent counts that there are more than 100 small and big private clinics and diagnostic centres in the city. The private clinics and diagnostic centres continue their test business contacting those hospital doctors. The doctors also prescribe them with unnecessary tests, alleged patients.
On the other hand, a number of brokers communicate with the patients and allure them of quality treatment with little money. The brokers take commission from the doctors and diagnostic centres giving patients to their clinics.
While talking to The Daily Observer, Habibur Rahman from Durgapur Upazila, who came to Laxmipur Popular Diagnostic Centre for quality treatment, said after the appointment with the doctor, he prescribed various tests and he completed the tests worth Tk 3,000. But the doctors prescribed him few medicines after showing those tests.
The price of the medicine is Tk 495 only, but he had to pay Tk 3,000 for unnecessary tests. As there is no government monitoring system, the private clinics and diagnostic centres are doing test business, he complained.
The authority should take necessary legal action in this connection, he added.
Mohidul Islam came to Shapla Diagnostic Centre from Natore said that he tried to take the doctor's appointment over mobile phone call from home; but the doctor could not give him any appointment as he did the tests from other diagnostic centre. 
In this regard, Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Sanjit Kumar Shaha said that sometimes they monitor those private clinics and diagnostic centres after getting allegations.
Necessary legal steps would be taken after having written complaint in this connection, the surgeon added.