HC seeks explanation on Dengue containment failure
Court
The High Court (HC) on Monday directed two health officials of Dhaka north and south city corporations to explain by July 25 regarding the failure to contain Dengue fever outbreak.
The court also ordered chief health officials of the two city corporations to appear before it and provide information about the steps taken by authorities concerned in preventing the outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases in the capital.
A bench comprised of justices Tariq ul Hakim and Mohammad Suhrawardy passed the order after hearing on a Suo Moto rule issued by the same bench on July 14.
The High Court then directed assistant attorney generals Zaidy Hasan Khan and Saira Firoz to communicate with the mayors of DNCC and DSCC immediately in this regard.
Assistant Attorney General Advocate Saira Firoz represented the state during the hearing.
“What are the two city corporations doing [about the Dengue outbreak]? To raise awareness among city dwellers, the city corporations need to be aware first,” the court told Advocate Saira.
“However, just awareness is not enough to tackle the outbreak of Dengue fever. People in droves are getting admitted to various hospitals with dengue fever and you are talking about awareness,” the court added.
The justices further said the court earlier sought information regarding the steps taken by the two city corporations centring the Dengue outbreak within 24 hours, but no visible progress has been observed since they passed the order.
Earlier on July 14, the HC ordered the two mayors of Dhaka North and South city corporations, executive officers, health secretary, local government secretary, and directorate general of health director to report on steps taken to prevent Dengue and Chikungunya.
The bench also issued a ruling asking why the inaction of the authorities concerned in preventing the diseases should not be declared illegal.
Later, the Attorney General’s Office was directed to contact relevant parties and notify the court. The next hearing on the issue was set on July 22.
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