When he tripped and fell, Aminul Islam knew it was going to be bad. The pain was unbearable and he couldn't stand upright.

The 54-year-old from Noakhali's Begumganj first got treated for "torn ligament" at a local clinic where an orthopaedic doctor from Chattogram sees patients once a week.

Eventually Aminul had to come to Dhaka to see a specialist because his condition did not improve. Many consultations, a 7-day physical therapy session, and hotel stays later, he returned home cured. It cost him Tk30,000 plus the hassle of getting quality treatment.