Make sure frontliners have gear

The High Court yesterday directed the authorities concerned to ensure supply of personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves, to doctors, nurses, and staffers of all private hospitals and clinics across the country so that they can attend to the Covid-19 patients.

The court also ordered the chairman of the advisory committee for prevention of infectious diseases to submit a report before it within a week on what steps the committee have taken to prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan came up with the order after holding a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh on May 14.

During the hearing, the rights body's lawyer Manzill Murshid told the court that many private hospitals and clinics reportedly refused to treat patients as their doctors, nurses, and staffers were not well protected. 

Getting treatment is a fundamental right of citizens, which is guaranteed by the constitution, he argued.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state during the hearing.             

In the petition, the rights body prayed to the court to issue a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to take necessary steps to ensure treatment of patients at the private hospitals and clinics.

It also urged the HC to direct the respondents to show cause why their failure to protect the people from coronavirus outbreak should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.