The High Court on Wednesday observed that the government should monitor the private hospitals so that they cannot cheat on the treatment of patients and go beyond control. Besides, the authorities should have restrained the owners of some private hospitals from demonstrating their influence.
The virtual High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim made the observation during the hearing of five separate writ petitions filed seeking necessary orders to ensure treatment of any patient infected with Covid-19 or not at all hospitals across the country.
Advocate Yeadia Zaman, Barrister Aneek R Haque and Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon were present in favour of the writ petitioners while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state.
During the hearing, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam sought time from the High Court to submit a compliance report on its July 6 directives. Later, the court granted the time and also asked the government to submit the compliance report within August 16.
Earlier on 6 July, the High Court asked the Director-General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to take necessary steps so the patients, who are deprived of treatment at any hospital, can lodge complaints to the office concerned through email.
On 2 July, the DGHS submitted a compliance report to the High Court saying that it is yet to receive any complaint against any hospital for refusal of treatment to patients anywhere in the country.
Moreover, they said that they are still monitoring whether hospitals across the country are refusing to provide treatment to any patient infected with Covid-19 or not.
On June 30, DGHS submitted the compliance report to the High Court through Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder.
The DGHS report also said if any such complaint is received against any hospital, strict action will be taken against the authorities concerned.
According to the DGHS report, the government has directed the authorities concerned to fix and display the retail and refilling prices of oxygen cylinders at outlets and shops.
Earlier on June 15, the High Court ruled that the denial of treatment by public or private healthcare resulting in the death of the patient would constitute a criminal offence.
The court ordered the government to monitor that the directives of the health ministry are being followed at all public and private hospitals, ensuring treatment of all. The HC directed the authorities concerned of the government to take legal actions against those who show medical negligence when providing treatment in hospitals.
The bench ordered authorities concerned to ensure that no government or private hospital in the country can refuse treatment to any patient, infected with Covid-19 or not. The court also asked the government to strictly enforce the directives issued by the DGHS on May 11 and 24 for ensuring treatment of patients at all hospitals across the country.
The health secretary and the director-general were also asked to set up hotlines and advertise their phone numbers in the media to receive any complaint of mismanagement of the ICU beds. The court further asked the government to strengthen the National Disaster Response Coordination Group, formed under the National Disaster Management Act 2012, to empower the group to requisite ICU beds of the private hospitals and clinics for Covid-19 patients.
nh/wi
