Government hospitals, being state-funded institutions, are primarily established to serve the masses. Their fees are relatively minimal, making medical care accessible even to the poorest sections of society. Subsidies, free medication and affordable diagnostic facilities often ensure that no individual is deprived of treatment due to financial constraints. However, this affordability frequently comes at the cost of limitations in infrastructure, long queues and overburdened medical staff.
By contrast, private hospitals operate with the objective of providing healthcare with greater comfort, efficiency and speed. They offer state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology and personalised care. Yet their exorbitant fees place a heavy burden on middle-class families. In many cases, people are forced to exhaust their life savings or borrow money to afford treatment. Thus, while private hospitals deliver convenience and modern care, they remain out of reach for much of the population.
This contrast raises a pressing question: should healthcare be a privilege for those who can pay, or a basic right guaranteed to every citizen? Government hospitals uphold the principle of equality, while private hospitals showcase progress in medical science. Striking a balance between the two is vital. Public hospitals require better funding and management, while private institutions should be subject to fair regulation of their fee structures.
The issue of hospital fees is not merely about money — it concerns the dignity of life itself. A society’s true progress is reflected only when healthcare is affordable, accessible and equitable for all.
Iqbal Basheer
Turbat
