GOVERNMENT-run hospitals and the entire public-sector healthcare infrastructure have always been the focus of critics and citizens alike. This criticism is, indeed, justified, for, like any other public-sector entity, public healthcare, too, is in a sorry state owing to successive governments’ apathy and malpractices.

But here we have an equally critical issue which hardly gets noticed despite being something more sinister, darker. While the government healthcare is pathetic, we have certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offering health facilities that are involved in fleecing the patients visiting them in the hope of getting something better.

This is an issue that strikes at the heart of our healthcare system, tarnishing the reputation of those institutions that are meant to provide high-quality medical care at an affordable cost. It also causes lack of trust for these NGOs among the masses. This is about excessive billing and unnecessary treatment practices employed by two well-known private hospitals registered as NGOs.

The not-for-profit organisations, because of their mission statement, are expected to work towards the betterment of society and provide assistance to those in need. The NGOs active in the field of healthcare are supposed to be beacons of hope for the underprivileged, offering them affordable medical services that they otherwise cannot afford. However, the reality is far from what was envisioned and presented, or, should I say, projected.

Over the last few years, there have been numerous reports in the media and personal accounts of exorbitant billing and unreasonably expensive treatment by these hospitals. Patients and their families, already grappling with the stress of illness, find themselves burdened with hefty bills that often drain their meagre financial resources. This adds to their already overwhelming distress, and also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and limited access to proper healthcare.

What makes this situation even more disheartening is that these hospitals operate under the guise of ‘charitable organisations’, claiming to provide medical care to the less fortunate. They benefit from various tax exemptions and public goodwill, but fail to deliver on their promises. This is a betrayal of trust and a disservice to the community that they are meant to serve, and, indeed, claim to serve. This makes them bigger culprits than the entire government health sector. This is something more sinister than what we usually see and experience at public hospitals.

The root causes of this issue are complex and multifaceted. It is crucial to have a thorough investigation into the financial practices of these NGOs, including their billing systems, profit margins, and transparency in pricing. Accountability mechanisms should be established to ensure that all such organisations adhere to their original mission and ethical obligations.

Furthermore, there is an urgent need for greater oversight and regulation of the healthcare sector as a whole. The government should take proactive measures to monitor and scrutinise the operations of all NGOs active in the health sector, ensuring that they are truly working in the best interests of the public. This could include regular audits, mandatory reporting of financial statements, and strict penalties for non-compliance.

The authorities concerned, the policymakers, and the public at large should rally together in addressing this pressing issue. The collective voice of citizens demanding fair and affordable healthcare must be heard. There is an urgent need to bring about necessary reforms and to restore the trust in non-profit institutions that has been eroded.

We must not lose sight of the fact that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for the precious few. Let us work towards a healthcare system in Karachi and elsewhere that is truly inclusive, equitable and compassionate.

Shahryar Ali
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2023