The court yesterday stayed the government notification upon a writ filed by Z H Sikder Women's Medical College & Hospital challenging the restriction on foreign doctors.

Sikder hospital, a private institution in the capital, has seven specialised doctors--six from India and one from Malaysia.

The court also issued a rule upon the government to show cause in eight weeks why its notification cancelling the temporary permission and refusing registration to foreign doctors should not be declared mala fide and illegal.

It directed Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BMDC) for an early disposal of petition of foreign doctors for registration.

The health ministry in a notification on December 4 last suspended its previous temporary permission to practise subject to obtaining registration from the BMDC.

But the foreign doctors continued practice without registration.

The ministry had also laid down conditions on foreign doctors which include: 1) they will provide medicare and training; 2) report arrival, stay and departure to the home and foreign ministries, 3) submit weekly report of their activities, 4) will not carry any data or information while leaving the country and 5) two local doctors should be associated with them during their service and training.

The BMDC refused registration to foreign doctors as it said patients were not getting treatment free of cost at Sikder Medical College & Hospital.

Dr Kamal Hossain, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the foreign doctors were not receiving financial benefits. They were providing service to the patients free of cost.

Refuting his contention, Additional Attorney General Zaman Akhter Bulbul informed the court that the foreign doctors were taking away huge money out of the country. The hospital is peeling the patients in the name of foreign doctors.

Quoting relevant laws, Bulbul submitted that no foreign doctor is allowed to practise in Bangladesh. They are coming on invitation or hired by the voluntary organisations.