by:- Amanuel kindya
Health institutions are among the institutions that are said to have multiple problems in terms of service delivery. There are many complaints against private medical institutions in particular.
In cities like Addis Ababa, the prices that private health institutions are charging for their services are not acceptable.
Especially if it is confusing how private institutions that provide hospital-level services charge for bed-based treatment or for other medical services, starting from the card, it is over.
This is observed repeatedly, and the fees charged for the same services in different hospitals are not consistent. And when we ask whether medicine is a business or a service, we asked the experts in the field.
According to Dr. Mekonnen Negash, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, medicine is a sector that focuses on humanity rather than business.
Dr. Girma Ababi, who has long-term experience in the management of health institutions, said that the medical sector prioritizes the safety of society and the environment over business.
This means that the institutions have a positive impact on their customers by improving the quality of health services they provide and increasing customer satisfaction, said Dr. Girma.
Dr. Atakalti Tsegay, for his part, said that the price instability in medical supplies and inputs, foreign exchange issues and other related issues are challenges for the sector. Considering these issues, adjustments should be made to the price of medical treatment. Here, the community should also be taken into account.
If this is not done, the continuity of medical institutions will fall into a serious state. Medical institutions operating outside this principle will not disappear. Therefore, it is necessary to prioritize the service and focus on humanity by making medical costs reasonable.
According to Dr. Atakalti; The first task in medical ethics is to create trust among patients. “Trust in oneself; trust in the patient.” Medicine has its own professional ethics.
The gap in prices seen in private medical institutions in Ethiopia is better compared to other countries. The reason for this is the culture, attitude and beliefs of the community.
