Legal notice served to provide PPE for doctors at govt hospitals within 3 days

A legal notice was served to four government officials asking them to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medicines to healthcare professionals and workers at all government hospitals of the country.

Rights organisation -- Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) -- yesterday served the notice asking them to ensure proper safety gear for doctors treating coronavirus patients.

It was served in line with the High Court's March 22 directives, which ordered authorities concerned of the government to procure safety gears including PPE and supply those to doctors, nurses and staff members at all hospitals and clinics across the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The notice was sent via email to Health Secretary Md Asadul Islam, Additional Health Secretary (Hospitals) Md Shirajul Islam, Director General of Directorate of Health Services Prof Dr Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, and Director of Central Medicine Store Department (CMSD) Brigadier General Shahidullah.

A contempt of court petition will be moved before the High Court against the four if they do not provide the PPE and medicines in three days.

In the legal notice, Advocate Manzill Murshid said health professionals are reportedly facing a shortage of PPE and not providing it to them is a violation of High Court directives and a contempt of court.