The High Court bench, comprising Justice Md Atabullah and Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam, expressed concern over the presence of mafias operating in the medical sector in various countries, including Bangladesh.
The comments were made during the hearing of a writ related to the death of five-year-old Ayaan Ahmed at the United Medical College Hospital.
During the hearing, the court highlighted that the mafia operates as a catalyst in the supply of medicines and medical resources.
The court emphasized the importance of public awareness in the health sector and expressed a desire to take actions that would benefit the 18 crore people.
Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy and Assistant Attorney General Salim Azad represented the state, while Advocate ABM Shahjahan Akand Masum supported the writ.
The court set the next hearing date for Tuesday and included Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir as an “intervenor” to provide information and laws related to the country’s health sector.
The writ was filed in the High Court seeking directives for an investigation into Ayaan’s death during circumcision, Tk1 crore in compensation for the family, and action against the responsible doctors and the hospital.
The court previously ordered an investigation into the death, sought a report within seven days, and requested a list of all licensed and unregistered private hospitals in the country within one month.
The High Court criticized the Directorate General of Health Services’ investigative committee’s report on Ayaan Ahmed’s death as “eyewash” and “ridiculous.”
On December 31, Ayan was brought to the United Medical College Hospital on Badda Madani Avenue by his father, Shamim Ahmed, for circumcision under a Tk10,000 package. Ayan was administered full anesthesia there, reportedly without parental consent.
Several hours after the operation, when he still did not regain consciousness, the hospital transferred him to its Gulshan branch.
After seven days of being on life support, medical professionals in the pediatric intensive care unit pronounced him dead late on January 7.