Money speaks

Criminals finding sanctuary in hospitals on health grounds are setting a precedent for the justice system in Bangladesh. The latest incident to emerge occurred in the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), involving an accused in a cocaine-haul case who spent nine months in a VIP cabin of the hospital shortly after his arrest in January 2016.  Obviously money played a part in it.

As The Daily Star reported on Thursday, four doctors of the hospital were made OSD as punishment for their involvement in the matter, after it was brought to the attention of the health ministry. This is an appreciable step considering that instances of doctors being punished for wrongdoing are quite scarce. But it was a punishment for granting VIP treatment to a patient who didn't deserve it, not for allowing him to lengthen his stay in the hospital, which is, of course, the bigger problem and should be taken cognizance of. That convicts and suspected criminals would even think of hospitals as a way out of their punishment is unthinkable, and quite alarming. Earlier this year, we were shocked to know that similar hospital privileges were extended to two top criminals in Dhaka—the first was allowed to avoid jail time for 18 months while the second for 20.

The continuation of this situation means existing laws for criminals with health issues, especially those related to hospital treatment, need a revision. While we acknowledge the rights to basic amenities of the convicts and those under trial, nothing gives them the right to escape punishment and cause danger to the society again.