Writ seeks HC directive to increase hospital beds for Covid-19 patients

Ain O Salish Kendra, a leading rights organisation, yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking directives on the government to immediately increase the number of beds for Covid-19 patients at all hospitals.

In the petition, the organisation urged the court to order the authorities concerned of the government to take steps to provide special care to pregnant women infected with Covid-19 and to arrange a designated section in at least one hospital in rural areas for treatment and delivery of pregnant women infected with Covid-19.

Lawyers ZI Khan Panna, Syeda Nasrin and Md Shahinuzzaman submitted the petition on behalf of the ASK, seeking necessary directives from the HC on the authorities to instruct private hospitals to immediately admit and treat patients unable to get admission in public hospitals.

The rights body in the petition prayed to the HC to order the government to ensure that adequate supply of oxygen as well as necessary medications and instruments such as high flow nasal cannula is available in Covid-19 designated hospital in every district.

Steps should be immediately taken to ensure that Covid-19 patients are provided with appropriate care, hygiene and get proper food, it said in the petition.

The HC is yet to fix any date for hearing the petition.