The High Court yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over an incomplete report, submitted by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), stating that there are 14 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in two sadar hospitals and 59 Coronary Care Units (CCUs) in five have been functioning. Among the 14 ICUs, 10 ICUs are existed in Cox Bazar Sadar hospital while 4 ICU beds in Pabna district Sadar hospital. A total of 30 CCU beds in Cox Bazar Sadar hospital, 2 CCU beds in Nilphamari Modern Sadar hospital, 15 CCU beds in Kustia General hospital, 8 CCU beds in Pabna district Sadar hospital and 4 CCU beds in Bhola Sadar hospital.    

After receiving the report, the HC bench comprising Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam fixed October 23 for passing its order on the matter. HC also asked DGHS to submit an updated report on the status of ICU and CCU of all district sadar hospitals. Deputy attorney general Nur-us Sadik represented the state while Dr Bashir Ahmed appeared for the petitioner during the court proceedings.

Both the prosecution and petitioner lawyers told reporters that the HC bench expressed dissatisfaction over the report and fixed October 23 for passing its order over the matter. The HC bench asked the DGHS to initiate a file regarding the establishment of ICU and CCU at every district hospital across the country.

Earlier on March 7, the HC directed the directorate of health services to file a list of ICU and CCU units at all hospitals in the country and to include in the report the number of manpower and specialists assigned to the ICUs and CCUs and the cost for setting up such units. The HC bench came up with the directive while hearing a  writ filed by Human Rights Lawyers and Environment Society of Bangladesh.

Following the same petition, the HC on July 24 last year directed for displaying in public places the charges and fees fixed by the private clinics and hospitals and diagnostic centres for the medical tests.

Health secretary, director general of the DGHS and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council have been ordered the private clinics and hospital laboratory diagnostic centres to display the charges and fees in the public access places in 15 days from the receipt of the order.