The High Court has issued a contempt rule against the secretary of health and the director general (DG) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for failing to comply with its judgment on emergency medical services for road crash victims and those who assist them.
The two government high officials were also asked to explain in two weeks as to why the court should not take action against them for contempt of court.
The High Court bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khizir Hayat came up with the order Tuesday after a virtual hearing on a contempt petition filed by the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast).
Barrister Rashna Imam accompanied by Rezaul Karim and Sharmin Akhter appeared for the Blast while Deputy Attorney General Md Jahangir Alam represented the state.
On August 18, 2018, the High Court bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Farid Ahmed directed the government to ensure emergency medical services to road accident victims at all the health facilities across the country.
The court also directed the Health Ministry to modify the guidelines (formulated by the ministry) and publish the official gazette on emergency medical services for road crash victims and those assisting them.
According to the lawyers, despite repeated reminders and notices, no action has been taken to date in this regard.
Rather, they said, those sustaining severe injuries in road accidents have been continuing to face major challenges in securing emergency healthcare, particularly during the pandemic.
Rashna Imam said that due to the ministry's failure to comply with the High Court judgement for the past two years, road crash victims are still being denied treatment by hospitals with total impunity.
"Even during the pandemic, tragic and wholly avoidable deaths and permanent injuries resulting from not getting critical medical care continued for road accident victims," she added.