10 doctors for 87,000 prisoners: IG prisons
The office of Inspector General of Prisons yesterday submitted a report to the High Court, saying there are only 10 physicians for providing treatment to around 87,000 prisoners at 68 prisons across the country.
The report also said 131 posts of doctors are now vacant. The prisons have capacity to accommodate 40,664 prisoners, whereas the number was 86,998 till August 27.
The government last year appointed 20 doctors on deputation for the prisons, but only four of them have joined, said IG Prisons Brig Gen AKM Mostafa Kamal Pasha in the report, which was submitted through Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar in line with the High Court’s June 23 order.
The HC issued the order following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md JR Khan Robin on February 18, seeking necessary order for recruiting physicians.
During yesterday’s hearing, the HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader asked the deputy attorney general to inform the court on Monday why 16 doctors, out of 20, have not joined the post.
The bench also set Monday for further hearing on the petition. Barrister KM Mahbubuddin Khokon and Advocate Shammi Akhter appeared for the petitioner.
While hearing the same petition, the HC on June 23 had asked the IG prisons to submit a report before this court, containing the number of prisoners, doctors as well as the vacant posts of physicians at jail hospitals.
The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why their inaction in ensuring living and treatment facilities for prisoners in jails should not be declared illegal.
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