Editorial
A positive story of specialised healthcare
The tempo of service should be maintained
IT is good see that a prominent Bangla daily has highlighted a change for the better that has come over the National Heart Institute and Hospital. When public hospitals, even specialised ones, have often hogged headlines for wrong reasons ranging from rusty costly equipment through perfunctory care to broker tyranny, the National Heart Institute is making positive vibes as a premier public healthcare institution. This deserves attention.
More so because, only less than a couple of years ago it had all the ills that are known to bedevil public health complexes to which ordinary citizens flock hoping for affordable care. Allegations were rife that brokers in collusion with some doctors or officials weaned away hapless patients to private clinics, or apologies of them, of their choice, denying legitimate treatment at the heart institute. Also physicians were alleged to have directed patients to diagnostic centres with commission skimmed from them. Ward boys and nurses were said to have patients bed down on the floor in lieu of cash. More seriously, pacemakers, rings and valves which are critical elements in the treatment of heart impairment cases would be sold out at double the price.
Since then a change in the administration has resulted in a marked improvement of management from which other hospitals in trouble can take a cue. For instance, contracts with suppliers selling food at high prices were cancelled. The cleanup operation included curbing absenteeism, dereliction of duty and transferring just a minuscule of employees out of Dhaka. They are usually a minority thriving on administrative slack and flaunted political linkages which when divested they drop like fallen leaves.
Since the improvement in the national health institute catering to the need for specialised treatment at affordable prices among the ordinary citizens has gathered momentum, it must be maintained by all concerned.
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