Clash erupts between Dhaka Medical doctors, DU students; emergency services suspended
A meeting between the director of DMCH and the proctor of DU was underway inside the hospital to address the situation.
A clash broke out between students of Dhaka University and doctors and Ansar personnel at Dhaka Medical College Hospital this evening (8 April), leaving several people injured and forcing the suspension of emergency medical services.
Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the matter.
One injured student has been identified as Mahadi Hasan Sanim, a Botany student from the 2023-24 academic session at DU. He is currently admitted to the Dhaka University Medical Centre. Several of his classmates were also reportedly injured.
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The incident occurred around 5:30pm, according to DU student and eyewitness Faisal Ahmed Imon.
Imon alleged that Sanim had felt unwell after an exam earlier in the day and went to DMCH for treatment.
"After initially consulting a doctor and receiving a prescription, he was unable to find the prescribed medicine at nearby pharmacies. When he returned to request a change in medication, an argument broke out, which allegedly led to doctors assaulting him," he said.
He further claimed that when other students arrived after hearing about the incident, they too were attacked by doctors and Ansar personnel.
Following the clash, DU students took position in front of the hospital's emergency department, while intern doctors remained inside.
Meanwhile, although a meeting between the director of DMCH and the proctor of DU was scheduled at the director's office after 6:30pm, tensions escalated at the venue. In their presence, intern doctors and members of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) engaged in a heated argument that lasted around 30 minutes, our correspondent reported from the spot.
The intern doctors present also demanded that CCTV footage of the incident be shown and called for justice against the those involved.
Later, at 7:50pm, a meeting was convened in the hospital auditorium to resolve the issue.
Those attending included DMCH Director Brigadier General Asaduzzaman; Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner of (Ramna division) Masud Alam; DU Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed; Ducsu Career Development Secretary Mazharul Islam; Ducsu members Sarba Mitra Chakma, Anas Ibne Munir, and Meftahul Hossain Al Maruf. Intern doctors and physicians on duty at the hospital's emergency department also joined the meeting.
