Staff Reporter :
The High Court (HC) on Thursday issued a rule seeking explanation as to why actions would not be taken against the authorities of three hospitals over the birth of a child on one of the hospitals’ compound and subsequent death of the newborn after the denial of treatment of an expecting mother.
The HC in an observation while passing the order said the incident occurred on the compound of Azimpur Shishu Matri Sadan was very regrettable and a black spot on the civilization of this democratic state. She was denied admission as she could not pay Tk 1,500.
The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the order and rule on a Suo Moto move following a newspaper report.
The poor people in our healthcare are highly oppressed. So, the government should be more conscious of such type of negligence in providing treatment to the patients.
The HC also directed the Directors of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital, and the Superintendent of Azimpur Shishu Matri Sadan to investigate the incident of woman’s giving birth to a child and its death on the compound of Azimpur Shishu Matri Sadan and the negligence of the hospital authorities.
They have been ordered to carry out the probe and submit the report to the HC in 15 days.
Issuing a Suo Moto rule, the court asked the authorities concerned to explain why the failure of the doctor to give treatment to the expecting mother, Parvin Akter, should not be declared illegal.
In the rule, the court also asked the authorities to show cause as to why they should not be directed to take appropriate action against the persons who were responsible for the incident and to compensate the victim Parvin Akter.
The Health Secretary, Social Welfare Secretary, Women and Children Affairs Secretary, Director General of Department of Health Services, Directors of DMCH and Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Superintendent of Azimpur Shishu Matri Sadan and one Dr Nilufer, Inspector General of Police, Deputy Commissioner and Police Superintendent of Dhaka and Officer-in-Charge of Lalbagh Police Station have been made respondents to the rule. The court fixed November 5 for further order on the matter.
