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DHAKA, April 1, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA) have called upon the government to abolish the existing income tax imposed on their institutions and give permission to import used medical equipment to curtail the rising costs of healthcare and medical education. 

They made the call while placing their budget proposals for the fiscal year 2026-27 before the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan at the NBR conference room in the city.

BPMCA Vice President Priti Chakraborti and its General Secretary Professor Dr. Md. Moazzem Hossain placed the proposals.

In a bid to lower clinical service fees, they proposed a revision to the current Import Policy (IP) to allow for the acquisition of used medical technology. 

They argued that the prohibitive cost of brand-new machinery is the primary driver of high diagnostic expenses for the general public.

Currently, medical equipment imports are subject to a tax rate of 7% to 7.5%. 

They emphasized that if they are given permission to import high-quality used items under this same tax bracket, they could significantly reduce patient fees. They further noted that private hospitals already fulfill a social mandate by providing free bed services for 10% of their total capacity.

In his speech, Abdur Rahman Khan said that the demand of the association would be kept under consideration but urged private medical institutions to first fix internal financial deviations and transparency issues. 

Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA), Bangladesh Hotel Restaurant & Bar Owners Association (BHRBOA), Bangladesh Film Producers & Distributors Association (BFPDA), Advertising Agencies Association of Bangladesh (AAAB), Bangladesh Private Clinic & Diagnostic Owners Association (BPCDOA), Bangladesh Beverage Manufacturers Association (BBMA), Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS), Bangladesh Sweets Manufacturers Association (BSMA) and Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association (BROA) also took part at the meeting and placed their proposals.