Health Protection Act draft to be sent to cabinet by next week: Adviser

The draft of the proposed Health Protection Act will be sent to the cabinet within the next week, Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum said today (18 October).

"Despite work beginning in 2014, the National Health Protection Act is yet to be completed. After I assumed the post [of health adviser], I was given only eight days. I said I am not informed about it, I have to know first, then I can act accordingly. We hope to send it to the cabinet by next week," she said.

The adviser made the remarks while addressing an event marking the 200th medical camp organised by Dreamers Consultation and Research, and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Dhaka University today.

Speaking about the treatment of those injured during the recent student movement, she said, "We are trying our best to facilitate the treatment of the injured. In addition to doctors from the country, we have brought doctors from France and China. Then came the eye doctors from Nepal. They said the medical care provided by the doctors here was appropriate. Regarding some patients, they will give their opinions after consulting with experts in their respective countries."

Nurjahan also said doctors from France, China and the US have been consulted for the treatment of those who lost their legs during the movement.

"We have sent one such person to Bangkok, whose medical expenses are around Tk2 crore. There is another injured person under treatment at CMH. We are talking to authorities concerned in Singapore about his treatment.

"Another person named Khokon, who has sustained serious facial injuries after being shot in the face, is under treatment at the burn unit. We are talking to authorities concerned in Australia about his treatment," she added.

The advisor also said the government is trying to send many such people abroad through various organisations. "Besides, we have talked with the Unicef and the World Bank. They will also help us."