HC asks to ensure PPE for private hospitals’ doctors, nurses
The High Court today directed the authorities concerned of the government to ensure supply of personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves, to the doctors, nurses and staff of all private hospitals and clinics across the country so that they can attend to coronavirus patients.
The court also ordered the chairman of the advisory committee for prevention of infectious diseases to submit a report before it in a week on what steps the committee has taken in order to prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan came up with the order after holding a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights organisation, on May 14 seeking necessary directives on this issue.
During the hearing, HRPB's lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told the court that many private hospitals and clinics have reportedly refused to provide treatment to sick people as their doctors, nurses and staff are not well protected.
Getting treatment is a fundamental right of citizens, which is guaranteed by the constitution, he argued.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state during the virtual hearing.
In the petition, the rights body prayed to the High Court to issue a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to take necessary steps to ensure all kinds of treatments to all patients by the private hospitals and clinics.
It also urged the High Court to direct the respondents to show cause why their failure to protect the people from coronavirus pandemic should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.
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