Private health sector making millions out of Afghan miseries

PESHAWAR:

As if the police and other law-enforcement agencies weren’t enough, health authorities are now minting money from Afghan nationals.

As a result, disillusioned Afghans are now approaching other countries such as India, Iran and other Central Asian states. Now instead of being dependent on private health institutions, Afghan nationals are showing keen interest in establishing their own medical set-ups.

It is undeniable most Afghans are dependent on the socioeconomic sectors of Pakistan since the late 1970s when world powers were engaged in hostilities on their home soil. Millions of them were forced to abandon home when the Soviets invaded and the process continued until—and after — 9/11.

Prior to the Twin Towers

Before 9/11, there was mass involvement of the international community which extended its support to the refugees. As a result, the Afghans were provided services like health and education. As the health sector is still a work in progress at home, Afghans are also compelled to turn to Pakistan, particularly Peshawar. The host authorities have already imposed restrictions on government hospitals on treating Afghans who returned to their home soil as well as those forcibly scattered across K-P.

Left with no choice

Since the health sector promises great return on investment, doctors and their business partners have established scores of hospitals and medical centres where patients are charged a small fortune.

Azizullah, an Afghan national, told The Express Tribune private medical centres and hospitals in Peshawar are approached due to the lack of health care at home. After getting a visa, residents of the neighbouring country cross into Pakistan from Torkham. “Fees and charges at two private hospitals of Hayatabad are not only unprecedented, but inhuman, illegal and unethical,” he remarked.

Azizullah said there are no fixed rates for treatment, surgeries and other facilities and patients are charged at whim. He added a majority of the patients are prescribed surgeries which can be risky or are unnecessary. At these private hospitals, those without influence are treated like third-rate citizens, the Afghan national said.

A senior government officer confirms the exorbitant charges. In addition, the doctors and management of the two private hospitals in Hayatabad have established a network of taxi drivers to pick up Afghans from Torkham in return for an attractive commission. Medical centres in Dabgari, Karachi Market and other parts of the provincial capital have been accused of overcharging.

Azizullah said Afghans are bound to keep up to Rs100,000 for just a check-up. Outside these hospitals and centres, professional commission agents are also playing with the lives of these people. If anyone refuses to pay a certain amount, he or she is harassed through law-enforcement.

Each of the two hospitals receives up to 4,000 to 5,000 Afghan patients every month. That number used to be 8,000 to 10,000 before these institutions lost credibility and people turned to Iran, India and other Central Asian states. Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai could not be reached despite several attempts made to contact him. However, an officer in the health department confirmed there is no system to regulate private hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.