"If they claim themselves to be professionals, it is their responsibility too, not to look like professionals and not like business men."

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges for individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide. With the outbreak of the virus, the demand for medical professionals has skyrocketed, and so has the demand for their services. However, with the high demand comes an issue of affordability.

Many people are unable to pay for medical services due to the exorbitant fees charged by healthcare professionals. This situation has brought to light the urgent need for an upper cap on professional fees.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this issue, it is not a new problem. Many people, particularly in developing countries, have long struggled to access quality healthcare due to the high costs of medical services. The cost of medical treatment is often unaffordable for those who need it the most. The high fees charged by healthcare professionals have made healthcare a privilege rather than a basic human right.

it is not necessary that Government should put reasonable limit on the fee of professional. Even though India is a free trade society, still in the public interest, professionals Fee should not unreasonably guided by the market. After all it's not a business.

The question of whether the government should put a reasonable limit on the fees charged by professionals, like lawyers, Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Teachers, Professors, Researchers etc, has been a subject of debate for many years. While some argue that such limits are necessary to protect the public interest, others argue that such limits are unnecessary and may even be detrimental to the profession.

India is a free trade society, and professionals are free to charge whatever fees they deem fit for their services. However, in the public interest, it is not necessary for the government to put a reasonable limit on the fees charged by professionals. This is because professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants, provide services that are essential to the functioning of society. Without these services, the economy would suffer, and the public would be at a disadvantage.

In many countries, the government has implemented a fee structure for medical services, with an upper cap on professional fees. For example, in India, the government has recently capped the prices of COVID-19 vaccines, including Covishield, at a maximum of Rs 250 per dose for private hospitals. This move has ensured that people can access the vaccine at an affordable price, regardless of their financial status.

Similarly, the government can implement an upper cap on professional fees for medical, legal or other services. This would ensure that people can access medical, legal and other services at an affordable price, regardless of their financial status. It would also prevent healthcare professionals from charging exorbitant fees, which often leads to exploitation of patients in dire need of medical attention.

One of the arguments against an upper cap on professional fees is that it may lead to a decrease in the quality of medical, legal or other services. Professionals like lawyers, Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Teachers, Professors, Researchers etc, may feel that they are not being compensated adequately for their services and may therefore reduce the quality of care provided.

Another argument against an upper cap on professional fees is that it may discourage people from entering the medical profession. However, this argument is also flawed. The legal, medical profession is a calling, and people enter it because they have a passion for helping others. While monetary compensation is essential, it is not the only factor that motivates people to enter the medical profession. Healthcare professionals who are passionate about their work will continue to provide quality medical services regardless of the fee structure in place.

However, this argument is flawed. A fee structure with an upper cap can be designed in such a way that healthcare professionals are adequately compensated for their services. The upper cap can be set at a level that ensures that healthcare professionals are paid a fair wage for their services while still making medical services accessible to everyone.

The professionals should not unreasonably guide their fees by the market. They should not charge fees that are exorbitant or out of reach for the average person. Professionals have a moral obligation to serve the public, and charging excessive fees can be seen as a breach of this obligation.

Moreover, professionals are not running a business in the traditional sense. They are providing services that are essential to the public, and their fees should reflect this fact. Unlike businesses, professionals cannot simply increase their fees in response to market demand without considering the impact on the public.

Professionals like lawyers, Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Teachers, Professors, Researchers etc, have a social responsibility to ensure that their fees are reasonable and affordable. This is particularly true for those who serve the most vulnerable members of society, such as low-income families and the elderly. Charging excessive fees can create a barrier to access to essential services, which can have a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of the public.

It is equally important to note that not all professionals charge exorbitant fees. Many professionals provide their services at a reasonable and affordable cost, recognizing the social responsibility that comes with their profession. However, there are some professionals who charge fees that are out of reach for the average person. It is in the interest of the public to ensure that such professionals are held accountable for their fees.

Upper cap on professional fees is urgently needed to ensure that everyone can access quality healthcare services. The government can implement a fee structure that ensures that healthcare professionals are adequately compensated for their services while still making medical services accessible to everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency of this issue, and governments around the world must take action to address it. Access to quality healthcare is a basic human right, and it is the responsibility of governments to ensure that everyone can access it.

One way to do this is through professional associations and regulatory bodies. These organizations can establish guidelines for fees that are reasonable and affordable, and they can take action against professionals who charge excessive fees. This can help to ensure that professionals are not guided solely by the market and are held accountable to the public.

In fact it is the responsibility of professional associations and regulatory bodies to ensure that professionals are held accountable for their fees and that the public interest is protected. Professionals like lawyers, Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Teachers, Professors, Researchers etc, should not view their services as purely business transactions but rather as a social. A middle path is required to be taken to balance the interest of society as well as the professionals.

Written By: Ajay Amitabh Suman, IPR Advocate, Hon'ble High Court of Delhi
Mob:9990389539, Email: [email protected]