Supply Personal Protective Equipment to Doctors, Nurses: HC Orders

The High Court today ordered the government authorities concerned to collect personal protective equipment (PPEs) and supply it to doctors, nurses, and staff members at all hospitals and clinics throughout the country to prevent the virus from spreading.

In response to a writ petition, the court ordered the health secretary to form an advisory committee immediately to compile a list of the appropriate equipment within 48 hours to resolve the coronavirus outbreak.

The authorities will collect the equipment in the next seven days after obtaining the list, and then the Health Services Directorate General will distribute the equipment to doctors, nurses, and staff members throughout the country, the court said.

Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir's HC bench came up with the order after a writ petition for Bangladesh today by Human Rights and Peace seeking order.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner Manzill Murshed told the court that most of the doctors, nurses and staff members are facing a crisis in equipment. Unless the doctors and nurses are left vulnerable, they will not be able to provide medical care, he added.