HC rule on private practice of govt doctors

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Bangla Tribune Report
Published : 18:02, Feb 12, 2019 | Updated : 18:10, Feb 12, 2019

Supreme Court of Bangladesh. BANGLATRIBUNE/Sazzad HossainThe High Court has issued a rule asking why the provision allowing government physicians to carry out private practices should not be scrapped and declared illegal and against the Constitution.
The bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader gave the orders on Tuesday (Feb 12) after hearing a petition on the matter.
The health secretary, Directorate General of Health’s chief, Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) president and Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) president have ordered to respond.
The court has ordered the respondents to form an independent commission to draft a private practice policy for government doctors and file it with the court.
Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar argued for the state while Abdus Sattar Palowan represented the petitioners.
The 1982 Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance says that “No registered medical practitioner in the service of the Republic shall carry on private medical practice during office hours.”


It also asked for an order to monitor operations at state-owned hospitals as well as mobile courts at both private and public hospitals to stamp out any irregularities there.
The writ also sought the court’s order for an independent commission comprising of specialists to draft a private practice policy for government doctors.
On Jan 29, SC lawyer Abdur Sattar Palowan sent a legal notice to the government physicians asking them to stop all private practices during office hours.
The notice said that it is the constitutional right of every citizen to receive treatment from government doctors. However, there are allegations that many were neglecting their duties by giving time at their private practice during office hours.
The notice asked everyone related to the matter to stop the practice saying that the physicians’ action is a punishable offence.

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