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Doctor appointment in prison hospitals

Draft policy prepared


Published : 09 May 2023 10:54 PM

The draft of a policy for appointment of doctors in prison hospitals in the country has been prepared. The draft policy has been submitted to the High Court.

The higher court, has, however directed the government authorities concerned to formulate the final policy. The court also directed the authorities concerned to ensure doctors’ appointment to the vacant posts in all prisons across the country.

The order came after the draft policy was submitted to the HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Mohammad Shawkat Ali Chowdhury on Tuesday (May 9).  The HC bench issued the order 

following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md JR Khan Robin on February 18 in 2019, seeking necessary directives on this issue.

The court in its order directed the authorities concerned to make progress over the proposed policy by June 6. The court also asked to appoint 16 doctors out of 141 people. 

Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, secretary of the Ministry of Home and the inspector general (IG) of prisons have been directed to comply with the order and to submit a compliance report to the court by June 6.

Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Advocate Md JR Khan Robin argued for the writ petition in the court, while Advocate MdShafiqul Islam argued for the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Deputy Attorney General Sheikh Saifuzzaman represented the state.

During the hearing, Advocate Shafiqul Islam, counsel for the DGHS said that there were 141 vacant posts of doctors in prison hospitals across the country. After being appointed at various stages, there are currently 125 doctors in prison hospitals. Now there are 16 more posts left. There are four in deputation.  

Earlier on January 24, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad KhurshidAlam told the court that they are sorry for not being able to implement the order in time. It won’t happen again in the future. 

The court exempted the DG from personal appearance and fixed May 2 for further hearing and order. 

DGHS DG Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad KhurshidAlam appeared before the High Court on January 17 to explain the allegation of not implementing the order to appoint doctors in jail. The hearing was then held in his presence.