On Saturday morning (16 August), Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul expressed optimism about the future of healthcare in Bangladesh during the annual general meeting of the Private Hospital, Clinic, and Diagnostic Owners Association at the Shaheed Abu Saeed International Convention Centre on Mintu Road in Dhaka.

Addressing private hospital and clinic owners, Dr. Nazrul urged, “I request that a portion of your profits, around 10%, be reinvested to improve staff welfare and the quality of hospital services. Doing so will not only enhance patient care but also increase your profits in the long run. One day, patients will come to Bangladesh for treatment, rather than going abroad, and even international patients will choose our country for medical care.”

He also addressed patient complaints, saying, “Doctors should listen to patients. Unnecessary tests for poor patients must be stopped. Physicians should not act as intermediaries by prescribing medicines from only certain companies. These practices must end.”

Dr. Nazrul added, “Which Bangladeshi wants to go abroad for treatment? Some patients even travel to India for care, despite never having visited Dhaka, simply out of necessity after facing frustration here.”

Highlighting the potential economic loss, he warned that without timely action, Bangladesh could miss out on a $5 billion healthcare market. “If we provide quality treatment at home, people won’t go abroad. The government will support all initiatives to ensure proper medical care,” he said.