HC orders report on framing rules for private healthcare facilities
The High Court yesterday wanted to know the progress in setting charges and fees at private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres, and keeping their charts in public view.
The court also sought a report on framing rules for running private healthcare facilities.
The court ordered the health secretary to submit the progress report by March 5 and fixed March 7 for passing further order on the issue.
The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order during hearing of a writ petition filed by Human Rights Lawyers and Securing Environment Society of Bangladesh seeking necessary order so that private healthcare facilities run efficiently.
Following the same petition, the HC on July 24 last year directed private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres to publicly display their charges and fees.
Health secretary, director general of the Directorate of Health Services and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council have been ordered to ask the private hospitals and diagnostic centres to keep their charges and fees in public view place within 15 days of receiving the order.
The HC also asked them to constitute a committee with experts concerned for framing rules as well as policy to monitor the clinics and laboratories in 60 days under the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.
The court also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain why they should not be ordered to take steps for setting up ICU/CCU units at all hospitals in the district headquarters, and to require licence for establishing diagnostic centres and laboratories.
Health secretary, director general of the Directorate of Health Services, Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, inspector general of police and director general of Rapid Action Battalion have been made respondents to the rule.
On August 1 last year, a five-member committee was formed -- led by a joint secretary of the health ministry -- to implement the HC order, but the committee is yet to place any report to the HC, petitioner's lawyer Dr Bashir Ahmed told The Daily Star yesterday.
Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu represented the state.
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