Quality care, better use of resources key to check patient outflow: Experts

Highlights

• Ways to tackle medical tourism
• Optimal utilisation existing resources, facilities 
• Improvement of the overall healthcare system
• Address trust issues about reports, doctors treatments
• Develop empathy, improve service delivery
• Comprehensive long-term plan for local healthcare development

The country's healthcare services need significant improvements in various areas such as diagnostic errors, operational inefficiencies, and service delivery and behavioural issues in order to reduce people's tendency of seeking medical treatment abroad, according to experts.

They opined that maximising the use of existing resources and facilities and developing the overall healthcare system is vital to tackle medical tourism.

The views came during a discussion titled "Medical Care: Ways to transition from foreign dependence" organised by the Alliance for Health Reforms Bangladesh at Dhaka University's Shahid Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury Hall today (12 December). 

Addressing the programme, Prof Dr Sayedur Rahman, special assistant at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said to reduce dependency on foreign medical treatment, the interim government must ensure the optimal utilisation of the Super Specialized Hospital at this time.

"The BSMMU Super Specialized Hospital, equipped with the most advanced technology and infrastructure, is currently the government's best facility," he said. 

"We, on behalf of the government, are already working with BSMMU. Efforts are underway from the government to fully operationalise this 700-bed hospital…We are hopeful that this hospital will serve as a leading institution in reducing dependency on foreign medical treatment," Dr Sayedur added.

Super Specialized Hospital, inaugurated on 14 September 2022, was built at a cost of Tk1,366 crore on 3.4 acres of land to the north of the BSMMU. Of the construction cost, South Korea provided Tk1,047 crore as a loan.

Sayedur further said the healthcare system is being prepared to focus initially on three to four critical diseases for which patients frequently seek treatment abroad.

He noted, "Patients commonly travel abroad for treatment of diseases like cancer and a few others. The government will be supportive in providing treatment for these conditions within the country. Efforts will be made to enhance the government's own capacity while also developing mechanisms to support private sector initiatives."

During the event, experts highlighted issues like inadequate consultation time, diagnostic errors, insufficient tests, high costs, and limited facilities for conditions like cancer as major reasons why patients seek care overseas.

Brig Gen (Retd) Professor Mamun Mostafi, head of Nephrology at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital, identified trust issues as a key factor driving patients abroad. 

"Patients go to India because of better behavior and quality care. If we focus on empathy and better service delivery, we can solve this issue. If the government issues directives to ensure that no patient complaints about mistreatment arise in the next three months, it will be a significant step," he said.

"In the long term, incorporating lessons on compassion and empathy in medical and nursing colleges will build trust among patients," he added.

Mamun also said, "We are not lagging behind in fields like cardiology and nephrology. We have the infrastructure; we need to import the latest equipment at affordable costs."

Dr AM Shamim, managing director of Labaid Group, highlighted the issue of people's perception regarding the country's healthcare system. "We provided comprehensive care during Covid-19, and our healthcare is as capable as India's. However, negative publicity undermines our progress."  

Dr MH Choudhury Lelin, public health expert and medicine specialist said, "If we really want to reduce medical tourism, top officials like the chief adviser, the prime minister, the president, and the ministers must seek treatment locally.

"Moreover, the private sector, responsible for 55% of healthcare services, must be developed and monitored by the government."  

Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, scientist at icddr,b and member of Health Sector Reform Commission, pointed out operational inefficiencies in local hospitals. 

"In our country, seeking treatment at a hospital often feels like navigating a marketplace. Patients are made to run around from one place to another. However, abroad, once admitted to a hospital, patients do not need to handle anything themselves – the hospital takes care of everything."

He further emphasised, "To prevent medical tourism, we need to plan and invest strategically for the next 1–2 years or even 5 years. A comprehensive system must be in place to ensure patients receive seamless care domestically."

Speakers at the event also called for addressing political conflicts within the medical professionals. They urged an end to internal politics among doctors and suggested that those prioritising politics over healthcare should leave the field.