DGHS Says It's Monitoring Whether Hospitals Deny Treatment to Patients

DGHS Says It's Monitoring Whether Hospitals Deny Treatment to Patients 

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has submitted a compliance report back to the Supreme Court, saying it's monitoring whether hospitals across the country are refusing to supply treatment to any patient infected with Covid-19 or other ailments.

If such complaint against any government or private hospital is received, stern action are going to be taken against the authorities concerned, the DGHS said within the report.

The DGHS submitted the compliance report back to the Supreme Court on June 30 through Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Amit Talukder in line with its June 15 directives.

Citing the DGHS report, DAG Amit Talukder told The Daily Star today that the govt has directed the authorities concerned to repair and display the retail and refilling prices of oxygen cylinders at outlets and shops in order that the purchasers aren't charged extra.

He said his office is scheduled to receive a report from the health ministry to the present effect and after receiving the report, he will submit it to the Supreme Court.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim is about to carry hearing on the difficulty on Monday, DAG Amit Talukder added.

Following five separate writ petitions, an equivalent HC bench on June 15 issued several directives and observed that no patient, no matter whether or not they are infected with coronavirus, are often bereft of treatment at any government or private hospital.

If a patient dies or is bereft of treatment at a hospital thanks to its negligence, it might be considered a criminal and punishable offence, the HC said.

The HC directed the authorities concerned of the govt to require appropriate legal actions against those that display negligence when providing treatment in hospitals.

The bench ordered authorities concerned to make sure that no government or private hospital within the country refuses treatment to any patient -- infected with Covid-19 or not.

It asked the govt to strictly enforce the directives issued by the DGHS on May 11 and 24 for ensuring treatment of patients in the least hospitals.