Despite the authorities’ attempts at stabilising the country’s health sector, it seems like the sector is far from achieving the stability that it had before the economic crisis. On the one hand, the public health sector lacks medicines and equipment and is losing medical and health experts, while strikes are rampant in the sector. On the other hand, in its attempts to gain advantage of the situation, the private health sector has started violating various rules and regulations and has resorted to acts many would view are immoral. 

Expressing the public’s frustration in this regard, one Facebook post said, referring to the ongoing strikes at h0spitals: “The health sector is supposed to cure our headaches. But, it has become an incurable headache that we have to live with for god knows how long.”

While those who can afford services from the private health sector, including those who do so not because they can but because they have to in order to not die of the health issues that they are suffering from, see the private sector as a temporary s0lution, certain recent events have raised questions about the quality of the services and the fairness of the charges of the private health sector. Starting from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 to date, the past few years saw a plethora of instances where some in the private health sector took advantage of the volatility concerning the country’s health situation. The latest of these instances pertain to the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC) directing private health institutions to display the prices of medicines and services provided by them to the public in a clearly visible manner. This move was aimed at preventing overcharging, among other irregularities that could take place when service seekers are not clearly informed of those details.

While this is a commendable move, especially at a time where many seek to obtain services from the private health sector, this should not be viewed as a solution to the above mentioned situation. At the same time, for this move to actually benefit the people, proper monitoring, legal and regulatory actions against violators, awareness raising, and other forms of follow-up actions are necessary.

As some being vocal on social media platforms have pointed out, if there was no private health sector, the impact of the economic crisis on the public health sector would have led to bigger issues as far as public health is concerned. In this context, while measures taken in response to complaints and issues are welcome, proactive measures are also a necessity.

For example, awareness raising programmes should not be only for the public. As the authorities have pointed out, many medicines cannot be sold above the maximum retail prices under no circumstance, and other expenses or charges for services should be charged separately. However, medicines being considerably expensive in the private health sector, is something that has become a norm, and is hardly taken into account unless the prices are unbearably more expensive. Therefore, private health institutions and their employees should be made aware of the applicable laws.  

There should also be a system to make it mandatory for private health institutions to be more transparent when charging for their services. It is not uncommon for private hospitals to charge for various vague charges such as service charges or emergency charges. If a private health institution wants to charge for a certain service, they should openly and clearly communicate the purpose of that service to their customers.

In the long-run, as laws, regulations and policies regarding the private health sector are introduced, Sri Lanka should also look into bringing about a system to encourage and protect private health sector whistleblowers. 

The public’s responsibility in supporting and pushing the authorities to take stringent, transparent and effective steps to address this mafia created by certain private health service providers cannot be ignored as it remains a pressing concern in the current situation of the health sector. The public should be vigilant about the quality and cost of the services obtained from the private health sector, and more importantly, they should connect with the right authorities to raise their concerns.

While posting on social media about the issues faced at public health service providers is the latest, popular measure, it does not guarantee proper actions but public awareness. As the health authorities have stressed, what could bring about tangible changes is proper, official complaints. Timely reporting, for example, enables regulatory authorities to investigate and address potential risks, preventing the distribution and consumption of harmful or ineffective medications. By actively participating in monitoring, raising awareness, confronting those engaged in harmful practices, and reporting, citizens can contribute to maintaining the integrity of both the private and public healthcare systems, which will ensure the safety and efficacy of medications for everyone. There are several systems and institutions such as the PHSRC that facilitate the filing of complaints. To report low-quality medicines and services, harmful acts, and the neglect of the responsibilities of the private health sector, the public can get in touch with the regulatory authorities, healthcare professionals, the law enforcement authorities, and consumer safety authorities, among others.

Overall, while making the private health sector more responsible regarding the quality of their services, the reasonableness of their charges, and the manner in which their customers are treated, the public should be equipped to question those aspects of the paid services that they obtain from the private health sector.