Death of infants: HC to hear four amici curiae
The amici curiae are Supreme Court lawyers, ZI Khan Panna, Shadheen Malik, Manzill Murshid, and a paediatrician at Dhaka Medical College Hospital
The High Court Wednesday appointed four amici curiae to assist the court for the hearing of a rule issued over the deaths of infant twins who died after being turned away by three hospitals.
The amici curiae are Supreme Court lawyers, ZI Khan Panna, Shadheen Malik, Manzill Murshid, and a paediatrician at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
A HC virtual bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the order as all three hospitals submitted their explanations. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 18 January.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, and Islami Bank Hospital Mugda, Dhaka, submitted their reports to the HC earlier on Wednesday, said Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik.
Previously on 2 November, the HC had directed the hospital authorities to explain the incident within 48 hours as their father – a Supreme Court staffer -- turned up before the court with the dead twins.
Then a HC bench comprised of Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the order along with the rule. The High Court asked why the inaction of the defendants and their denial of medical treatment should not be declared illegal.
According to Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik, the mother of the twins felt unwell and left her residence for the hospital. She subsequently gave birth to the twins in an CNG auto-rickshaw on her way to the hospital.
She was admitted to Islami Bank Hospital Mugda, which referred her to Dhaka Shishu Hospital, claiming they did not have the medical equipment they needed.
However, Shishu Hospital turned the family away upon their arrival. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital also denied treatment to the mother and the infant twins.
Eventually, the twins died in an ambulance on the premises of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. The father came to the HC with the dead infants, seeking justice.