A ruling party MP pleaded in the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday that only female doctors and morgue attendants carry out autopsy on women.

Haji Mohammad Selim raised the Issue in parliament for the second time as nothing has been done to this end despite assurance by the former health minister.

Selim opposed male doctors and attendants doing autopsy on female bodies as the practice goes against Islam.

According to Islam, said the young Haji, even the husband cannot touch His wife's body after her death. But under the existing system, the male doctors. attendants and others dissect bodies of women who die an unnatural death.

Provisions for showing respect to corpse are there in all religions, but Islam made it mandatory to do the last rites of a dead with special respect.

Besides Islam, other religions also provide for carrying out autopsy on a female body by women.

Referring to a resolution he moved In the House on the issue earlier, the ruling party lawmaker claimed that he then enjoyed support of other members. "1 withdrew my resolution following assurance from the then health minister.”

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim termed the issue a very Important one but regretted that the hospitals are snort of female doctors to conduct the job. Women are not interested in working in the morgue because the task is very difficult and complicated. But the government is ready to appoint female dome (attendant) if they are available."

“Autopsy on female bodies by female doctors are not always possible as there is an inadequate number of female doctors at forensic departments at the hospitals," the minister said.

The government Is trying to train up more women doctors on forensic to send them at district hospitals.

But the minister's reply could not satisfy the Awami League MP who said women are available to work at the morgue. He then wanted to know If the government would appoint female doctors and female domes by 2001.

“1 can't guarantee. But 1 will publish advertisement In newspapers seeking women domes," the minister concluded.