Why is the evening healthcare services discontinued?

It is alleged that while doctors are often more dedicated in private practices outside government hospitals, the same level of commitment is not observed in their own hospitals. Additionally, there have been long-standing complaints about doctors seeing patients only in private chambers, avoiding hospitals altogether. In this context, the government introduced the evening healthcare service in public hospitals nearly two years ago, but without any announcement, the hospital authorities suddenly stopped this service. As a result, patients have been left in a difficult situation, with some expressing dissatisfaction.

According to reports received from the media on Monday (March 3), the evening healthcare service was stopped without any prior notice. Hospital authorities stated that although evening services were initiated, the lack of publicity has resulted in low turnout. Furthermore, after the July revolution, most doctors from rural health complexes were brought to Dhaka. As a result, due to a shortage of doctors, the service was effectively stopped. Health Ministry officials have stated that the evening healthcare service will not be resumed. However, the government is planning to offer services through a referral system across the country.

Another reason behind the discontinuation of evening healthcare services in government hospitals has been identified: during this time, doctors see patients privately, either in their own chambers or within the hospital. This has led to many patients being unwilling to come to the hospital in the evening. The argument that the evening service was discontinued due to lack of patients is not entirely convincing. A doctor, who requested to remain anonymous, said, “Why would a patient pay for a service in the evening that they can receive for free in the morning? For instance, services that cost only 10 taka in the morning are charged 500 taka for just a consultation in the evening. Additionally, while medicines are free in the morning, patients need to buy them in the evening. Tests also have to be paid for.” For this reason, patients are not interested. Moreover, doctors can earn more by seeing patients in their private chambers in the evening.

The situation is even worse in rural areas compared to Dhaka and urban centers. According to reports, hospital authorities have stated that specialists do not want to work in rural health complexes. Due to the lack of doctors, the evening service was discontinued soon after it was launched. Moreover, after the government change, the Ministry of Health discouraged the continuation of this program. According to the policy, doctors were supposed to be given allowances, but many doctors stopped the service due to the non-receipt of medical allowances.

Healthcare services in Bangladesh have become commercialized for various reasons, but many patients cannot afford private consultations with high consultation fees. Considering the difficulties of these patients, evening healthcare services should be resumed. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Professor Sayedur Rahman, has mentioned that the government does not plan to reintroduce evening services. However, efforts are underway to overhaul the overall healthcare system. The interim government is planning to introduce a referral system for healthcare in the country. Referral is the institutional practice of sending patients from one medical center to another according to their condition, ensuring specialized care. If this indeed happens, it will be a good step. But until then, many suggest that the evening healthcare service should remain in place. We also hope that no service is discontinued before a new system is put in place.