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Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) on Tuesday called upon the authorities concerned to strengthen surveillance in healthcare sector and ensure accountability of individuals and healthcare organisations.
It also sought an independent and impartial healthcare commission to take measures for monitoring and regulating health sector.
Expressing deep concern over protection of public health, TIB in a press note said fining Apollo Hospitals with only Tk .5 million for keeping expired reagents and unauthorised foreign medicines is meaningless.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "It was learned from the media that Apollo Hospitals was fined for keeping expired reagents and unauthorised foreign medicines through a joint drive, led by the ministry of health and drug administration, recently. It's just an example of the quality of healthcare services in the country. The quality of services of such a renowned hospital is alarming for the public health."
"If expired reagents are used in such a famous hospital, it's easily understood how much irregularities and health risk are there in other hospitals and clinics across the country," he said, reports UNB.
Calling for ensuring exemplary punishment through the enforcement of strict law, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Such a small amount of penalty to a hospital like Apollo will not play any role in suppressing such crimes."
Referring to TIB report published on February 7 on the worrisome picture of harassment in the private healthcare sector, Dr Iftekharuzzaman also said, "There's no alternative to maintaining expected standards in healthcare sector because it's entirely related to life and death."
"But, due to the lack of necessary policy, extensive shortage of inspection and supervision, and the effect of commercialisation, private medical sector has reached the edge of quality service."
"An independent and impartial healthcare commission should be formed in Bangladesh to take measures for monitoring and regulating the sector," he added.