Complaints have arisen that most hospitals are not admitting patients fearing the spread of Corona virus. Different media reports have also expressed that some patients have died after being denied treatment from multiple hospitals. Not only are the patients with symptoms of fever-cough-asthma but also those suffering from other diseases are not getting any medical treatments; they are rather facing harassments. Besides private hospitals, similar allegations have arisen against the government hospitals. News media have also reported that doctors are not attending private chambers. Most hospitals have closed their emergency services.

Questions regarding on what grounds are these hospitals not admitting patients or providing healthcare services, remain. Where the contribution and sacrifice of doctors, nurses and hospital authorities around the world in dealing with this pandemic are highly praiseworthy, their Bangladeshi counterparts have been in a kind of dilemma from the very beginning. There have been allegations that the business mentality of some hospitals, the lack of timely and effective guidelines from the government, and the failure to a quick supply of the necessary treatment materials are the causes behind this anomaly. Whatever may be the reason, the doctors and hospital authorities are in dread and fear. They are breaking their vow to serve the people, which is extremely unfortunate and absolutely unacceptable during this crisis situation. This is a serious infringement to people’s fundamental necessities of receiving healthcare services. On the other hand, the District Commissioners and Civil Surgeons informed the Prime Minister over video conference that there is no scarcity of treatment materials including PPE. Therefore, it is the government’s responsibility to find out the reason behind this crisis and the reluctance in providing healthcare services.

ASK believes that subject to fair investigation of these allegations, it is necessary to take steps against those who are involved in medical negligence. Besides, ASK urges the government to immediately provide strict instructions to hospital authorities in order to prevent the repetition of such incidents.

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