Why are govt doctors allowed to practise privately: HC

The High Court yesterday directed the government to form an independent medical commission to frame a guideline for those state-appointed doctors who also run private medical practices.

It also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain why the section of the relevant law that allows state-appointed doctors to run private medical practice beyond their office hours should not be declared unconstitutional.

Government-appointed doctors are allowed private practice beyond their office hours under the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982

The health secretary; director general of the Directorate General of Health Services; president of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council and president of Bangladesh Medical Association have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by five Supreme Court lawyers, seeking directives to stop private practice of government-appointed doctors.

In the petition filed on February 4, the lawyers prayed for formation of a commission to introduce a guideline on private practice of government-appointed doctors, and to conduct mobile courts to stop irregularities at government and private hospitals.

Advocate Abdus Sattar Palwan appeared for the petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.