Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Tuesday issued a contempt of court ruling against Md Abdul Mannan, Secretary of the Health Services Division of the Health Ministry and Professor Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services.
In the ruling, the court wanted to know from the respondents as to why the contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to comply with its judgment on emergency medical services for road crash
victims and those who assist, them. The respondents have been asked to comply with the rule within two weeks.
The High Court bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after holding a virtual hearing on a contempt petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) on August 14 this year.
On August 18, 2018, the High Court directed the Ministry of Health to modify and publish in the official gazette guidelines on emergency medical services for road crash victims and those assisting them.
That judgment was delivered by Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Farid Ahmed. Despite repeated reminders and notices, no action has been taken to date, said a press release issued by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST).
In the meantime, those sustaining severe injuries in road crashes continue to face major challenges in securing emergency healthcare, particularly during the pandemic.
Barrister Rashna Imam with Rezaul Karim and Sharmin Akhter, advocates, appeared for BLAST, while Md Jahangir Alam, Deputy Attorney General appeared for the state.
Barrister Rashna Imam, lawyer for BLAST, said “As a direct result of the failure of the Ministry of Health to comply with the judgment dated August 18, 2018 over the past two years, road crash victims in need of 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.”
