Health Protection Act to be tabled for approval by next week

Health adviser Nurjahan Begum on Friday hoped the draft of Health Protection Act would be forwarded the advisory council by next week for review and approval.

Work on the draft began in 2014, but it is yet to be finalised, she said adding she was given only about eight days to review the situation.

She made these remarks while addressing an event at Dhaka University’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Hall. The event titled “Celebrating the 200th Medical Camp” was organised by Dreamer’s Consultation and Research in collaboration with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Speaking about medical care for injured protesters, the health adviser said, “We are doing our best to facilitate the treatment of the injured. In addition to our local doctors, we have brought in medical professionals from France and China."

She also stated that eye specialists from Nepal have come, and all of these foreign professionals confirmed that the treatment provided here has been appropriate.

With regards to some special injury cases, the foreign doctors have said they would consult with professionals in their home countries, Nurjahan said.

The government has contacted with physicians in UK, France and China for treating those who have lost one or both legs. One injured have been sent to Bangkok for better treatment and the medical cost would be around Tk2 crore.

Talks are also going on with Australian authorities for the treatment of one suffering with injuries all over his face at a burn unit in the capital, Nurjahan informed the audience at the event.

The government is engaging with a number of other global organisations for ensuring proper treatment of July-August movement’s injured participants by sending them abroad.

The event was presided over by Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Mamun Ahmed. Other attendees included Hasnat Abdullah, central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with other coordinators like Abdul Kader and Mahin Sarkar, as well as doctors, volunteers, and students.