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Healthcare in Bangladesh: cost & waiting times
Mixed public / privateGovernment hospitals and community clinics provide low-cost care, run by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Most people pay out of pocket for private clinics, diagnostics and medicines; private hospitals in Dhaka and Chattogram offer a higher standard of care.
Emergency number: 999
How residents get care
- Private hospitals and chambers — Specialists see patients in private 'chambers' and hospitals — book directly.
- Government hospitals — Low-cost but crowded; tickets are bought at the outpatient counter.
- Diagnostics — Tests are usually done at private diagnostic centres.
- Emergencies — Call 999.
Official waiting-time source
Bangladesh doesn't publish waiting times; private care is quick.
No public waiting-time statistics ↗
Typical private costs
Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Private GP / general consultation | BDT 500–BDT 1,000 |
| Private specialist consultation | BDT 1,000–BDT 2,000 |
| Private MRI (one area) | BDT 6,000–BDT 12,000 |
| Cataract surgery, per eye (private) | BDT 59,000–BDT 85,000 |
| Hip replacement (private) | BDT 290,000–BDT 380,000 |
Typical waits & prices by procedure
Typical averages for comparison, not quotes. Public care is free or nominal at the point of use unless noted. Private care has no standard queue — availability depends on the provider. Where an official statistic exists (UK, Ireland, Poland) the interactive guide shows it, dated and sourced.
| Procedure | Typical public wait | Typical private price |
|---|---|---|
| GP / primary-care appointment | ~7 days | BDT 1,500–BDT 2,900 |
| Specialist consultation (first) | ~127 days | BDT 4,400–BDT 7,300 |
| MRI scan (one area) | ~59 days | BDT 8,500–BDT 15,000 |
| CT scan | ~59 days | BDT 9,800–BDT 17,000 |
| Gastroscopy / endoscopy | ~88 days | BDT 39,000–BDT 59,000 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ~176 days | BDT 59,000–BDT 85,000 |
| Knee arthroscopy | ~245 days | BDT 110,000–BDT 160,000 |
| Inguinal hernia repair | ~216 days | BDT 73,000–BDT 110,000 |
| Gallbladder removal | ~255 days | BDT 130,000–BDT 200,000 |
| Hip replacement | ~294 days | BDT 290,000–BDT 380,000 |
| Knee replacement | ~333 days | BDT 320,000–BDT 410,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | ~245 days | BDT 73,000–BDT 98,000 |
| Carpal tunnel release | ~235 days | BDT 44,000–BDT 66,000 |
| X-ray | ~20 days | BDT 2,000–BDT 3,700 |
| Ultrasound scan | ~39 days | BDT 3,700–BDT 6,800 |
| Echocardiogram | ~59 days | BDT 6,100–BDT 10,000 |
| Colonoscopy | ~98 days | BDT 44,000–BDT 68,000 |
| Coronary angiogram | ~59 days | BDT 61,000–BDT 93,000 |
| Varicose vein removal | ~196 days | BDT 73,000–BDT 110,000 |
| Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy) | ~265 days | BDT 220,000–BDT 320,000 |
| Rotator cuff repair (shoulder) | ~245 days | BDT 160,000–BDT 220,000 |
| Hysterectomy | ~196 days | BDT 170,000–BDT 260,000 |
| Vasectomy | ~98 days | BDT 9,800–BDT 17,000 |
| Bunion surgery | ~245 days | BDT 98,000–BDT 130,000 |
Prescriptions
Medicines are bought at pharmacies at low cost; many are sold without a prescription.
Dental care
Dental care is mostly private and inexpensive.
Adult public dental cover: limited. Typical self-pay prices:
| Treatment | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | BDT 975–BDT 2,195 |
| Scale & polish | BDT 1,465–BDT 2,925 |
| Filling | BDT 2,195–BDT 4,875 |
| Extraction | BDT 2,195–BDT 6,095 |
| Root canal | BDT 7,315–BDT 17,065 |
| Crown | BDT 9,750–BDT 21,940 |
| Implant (post only) | BDT 29,255–BDT 60,950 |
| Implant + crown | BDT 48,760–BDT 85,330 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | BDT 9,750–BDT 21,940 |
| Full denture (per arch) | BDT 12,190–BDT 29,255 |
Finding a doctor or specialist
Well-known hospital groups (listed, not vetted or ranked):
Check a provider's inspection rating or registration with Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council ↗.
Health insurance
Insurers and schemes people in Bangladesh commonly use, and cover for visitors. Listed for comparison, not recommended — check the policy wording yourself.
| Insurer | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green Delta Insurance ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| MetLife Bangladesh ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Bupa Global ↗ | International / expat cover | International health plans. |
Visiting Bangladesh?
Your entitlement: None — no agreement with the UK and the GHIC isn't valid. Visitors pay.
EHIC / GHIC: EHIC/GHIC not valid.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies are everywhere; use reputable ones.
Insurance: Travel insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
Useful links
- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) ↗
- Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council — doctor register ↗
- GOV.UK — Bangladesh health ↗
Content last checked: 2026-10-02. Figures are typical/official-source references, not quotes — see the links above for the current real number.