The High Court (HC) on Monday enquired about the number of intensive care units (ICUs) available at all public and private hospitals in Bangladesh and how they were maintained.
It asked the state counsel concerned, deputy attorney general Amit Talukder, to collect the information and to place it in the court within June 10.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim wanted to know the information while holding hearing on a writ petition filed to this effect.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University deputy registrar Dr Sheikh Abdullah Al Mamun filed the petition on Sunday.
It sought HC directives on the government for acquisition of the ICUs of private hospitals and formation of a central bed bureau during the coronavirus pandemic.
Advocate Yadia Zaman took part in the hearing on behalf of the writ petitioner.
Additional attorney general Murad Reza and deputy attorney general Mr Talukder stood for the state.
Later, Mr Talukder said the HC did not pass any order over the issue but sought information on how many ICUs were available at all public and private hospitals. It also enquired about how the ICUs are maintained. "We will inform the court of the matter within June 10," Mr Talukder went on to say.
Meanwhile, Mr Zaman said, "ICU is the most important for Covid-19 patients. Considering the matter, three provinces of India had already acquired all private hospitals for the pandemic period."
"So, we filed the writ petition, seeking HC directives upon the government to acquire the ICUs of private hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic," he added.
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