The rising cost of medical consultations for specialists is causing immense financial distress among locals.
Specialist doctors in various diagnostic centres, private hospitals, and clinics are charging upwards of Tk1,000 for a single consultation, many people, particularly tea labourers and those living near the haor region, are pushed to the edge.
The burden of high consultation fees, along with additional costs for tests, medicines, and travel, often forces families to choose between seeking medical attention and meeting basic daily needs.
For a day labourer, it may take 20 days of hard work to earn enough to consult a doctor once. Despite paying the consultation fee the doctors often give less than five minutes.
The lack of government regulation on consultation fees has led to unchecked price hikes, with some doctors charging as much as Tk 1,200 per visit.
Doctors in Moulvibazar, particularly those from Dhaka and Sylhet, charge more than their counterparts in other districts.
In Moulvibazar, many clinics and hospitals charge no less than Tk 600 for a consultation, with some demanding higher fees depending on the doctor’s expertise.
For instance, Professor Dr Kazi Muhibur Rahman and Dr Mohammad Zahed Parvez Barbhuiya charge Tk1,200, while Dr SM Golam Rahman and others at Health Aid and Nova Diagnostic Centre also charge Tk1,000 per visit.
Meanwhile, Dr Alamgir Adil Samdani and Dr Mohammad Shafiqur Islam charge Tk 800 per consultation. Despite the varying charges, many local residents find the fees unaffordable, especially when additional expenses for tests and medicines are added to the already high consultation costs.
Healthcare experts and concerned citizens argue that the current situation is unsustainable. “Doctors are acting recklessly under the guise of providing healthcare, taking large sums of money from patients. Many senior doctors now charge Tk 1,000 per consultation and see 40-50 patients a day, earning up to Tk 50,000 daily from consultations alone. In addition to this, they make extra income from labs, pharmaceutical companies, and hospitals,” one doctor said seeking anonymity noted.
Locals have voiced their frustrations with the system.
Akkas Ali from Rajnagar Upazila said, “I paid Tk 800 for my father’s consultation with Dr Bijoy Mallik. Seven days later, I had to pay an additional Tk 400 for the follow-up.”
Mohammad Saidur Rahman from Buddhi Mantarpur echoed similar concerns about the burden of medical costs.
“I had to borrow money to pay for my mother’s consultation with Dr Mostak Uddin Ahmad. If the consultation fee were Tk 500, it would be much more manageable for us.”
Raihan Uddin from Munshi Bazar recounted an unpleasant experience at the hospital.
“My grandfather was seen by Dr Rafi Ahmad Khan on 24 August for a plasma test. He was prescribed several tests, but when we went for the report the next day, the doctor had already left. The staff asked for another consultation fee to show the report. The doctor refused to prescribe medication until we paid again.”
Local health experts are calling for an immediate change in how medical consultations are handled.
Former Principal of Moulvibazar Women’s College, Mohammad Shahajan, stated, “Doctors should not charge more than Tk 500 for a consultation under any circumstances.”
Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Mamunur Rahman added, “Consultants may charge up to Tk 500, while professors can charge up to Tk 600. However, the fees being charged now are excessive. Without government regulation, such practices will continue.”
