Contempt of court rule issued against health secy, DG of DGHS
The High Court yesterday issued a contempt of court rule against the health secretary and director general of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for not complying with its judgment to ensure emergency medical services for road crash victims.
In the rule, the court ordered Health Secretary Md Abdul Mannan and DG of DGHS Prof Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam to show cause in two weeks as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be brought against them for failing to comply with its judgment on emergency medical services for road crash victims and those who assist them.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A virtual HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khizir Hayat came up with the order after hearing a contempt of court petition file by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) through video conferencing.
BLAST in the petition said the HC two years back had directed the health ministry to modify and publish in the official gazette the guidelines on emergency medical services for road crash victims and those assisting them.
Despite repeated reminders and notices, no action has been taken to date. In the meantime, those sustaining severe injuries in road crashes continue to face major challenges in securing emergency healthcare, particularly during the pandemic, it said
During hearing, Barrister Rashna Imam, lawyer for BLAST, told the court that "as a direct result of the failure of the ministry of health to comply with the judgment dated 18.8.2018 over the past two years, road crash victims in need emergency medical services are still being refused treatment by hospitals with total impunity."
"Even during the pandemic, tragic and wholly avoidable deaths and permanent injuries resulting from not getting critical medical care continued for road accident victims," she argued.
Advocate Rezaul Karim and Advocate Sharmin Akhter assisted Barrister Rashna Imam while Deputy Attorney General Jahangir Alam represented the state during the hearing.
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