Dhaka: The Health Sector Reform Commission (HSRC) has put forth a recommendation that health service providers, including physicians, should not be arrested without prior permission from the relevant authorities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commission emphasized in its report, submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus by its chief Professor AK Azad Khan, that 'no physician and health service providers can be arrested without prior permission.' This report was presented on Monday and is part of a comprehensive plan to safeguard the health security of the populace.
The 12-member commission, established on November 12, 2024, has outlined 32 recommendations aimed at short and mid-term implementation. Among these is the stipulation that physicians, nurses, technologists, and other health service providers should not face arrest without prior approval from bodies such as the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC), Bangladesh Pharmacy Council, and the Allied Health Professional Council.
Legal proceedings against health service providers will require an inquiry and a decision from the relevant authorities, with a mandatory completion timeline of 90 days from the receipt of a complaint. The commission also advocated for the creation of a modern digital platform to facilitate the lodging of complaints by service recipients, thereby ensuring the safety and security of treatment providers.
To further bolster the protection of health workers, the commission suggested that the legal and organizational capacities of the BMDC, BNMC, Bangladesh Pharmacy Council, and Allied Health Professional Council be strengthened. Additionally, it proposed the establishment of a special unit within Bangladesh Police, to be known as the medical police, tasked with the security of physicians and health service providers during emergencies. This unit would comprise specially trained police personnel.