HC orders govt to form expert committee for preventing Thalassemia

Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Monday directed the government to form a seven-member expert committee in 30 days to formulate a guideline for preventing Thalassemia disease of people and to submit a draft guideline to it in six months.

In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to run campaign among students, general people, government employees and other professionals against Thalassemia spread.

At the same time, it issued a rule asking the authorities to explain as to why they should not be directed to take effective steps to prevent the spread of Thalassemia.

In the rule, the HC also asked them to show causes as to why they should not be ordered to take steps to record the information regarding Thalassemia of bridegrooms and brides in their marriage registration forms.

Secretaries at the cabinet, Prime Minister’s office; Ministries of Health, Education, Law, and Religious Affairs and Director General of Directorate of Health Services have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC Bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by rights organisation, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

The organisation filed the writ petition on June 15 seeking necessary directive on the government to take effective steps to prevent the spread of Thalassemia disease of people.

Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid accompanied by lawyers Ripan Barai and Sanjoy Mondal argued for the petition, while Assistant Attorney General Md Abul Kalam Khan Daud represented the state during hearing of the petition.