Staff Reporter :
A writ petition was filed on Monday with the High Court seeking its directive on the government to formulate a national short-, mid- and long-term plan in order to prevent spread of Covid-19 and to provide vaccine to all vulnerable citizens irrespective of age.
Supreme Court lawyers Mohammad Humayun Kabir Pallab and Mohammed Kawar jointly submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC.
In the petition they requested the court to order the authorities concerned of the government to purchase and supply sufficient oxygen, medicines including vaccines and equipment for the Covid-19 patients. In the petition, they said Covid-19 outbreak may reportedly stay in Bangladesh for 10 to 15 years according to different studies including that of the World Health Organization.
Therefore, the government authorities need to formulate national short- mid- and long-term plan in order to prevent Covid-19 pandemic, they said in the petition.
Citing the petition, Humayun Kabir said that the government has provided Covid-19 vaccine to the people aged of 40 years or above which is discriminatory and contradictory to the fundamental rights of people.
All the citizens have right to life in accordance with the constitution and they have right to get vaccinated, he said.
Humayun Kabir said the state is constitutionally bound to provide necessary medicines, vaccines, oxygen, equipment and ICU for the patients to save their lives.
The second wave of coronavirus outbreak is now at the peak and if necessary measures are not taken immediately, the situation may go beyond control like that of India, the lawyer said.
Humayun Kabir said he would take an initiative so that the High Court hold hearing on the petition on Thursday.
