'Failed' doctors confine BSMMU VC, demand enrollment

Doctors who failed to pass the entrance exam for residency at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) staged a protest to demand admission today (12 December).

They confined the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Shahinul Alam and members of the syndicate during a meeting, alleging that they had been 'deprived' under the Awami League government. 

The protesters are now seeking admission on special consideration.

According to BSMMU sources, 13 doctors who had flunked the MD-MS residency entrance exam created a ruckus outside the meeting room during the syndicate session this morning.

They said the situation arose due to tensions between two factions of the Bangladesh Doctors' Association (DAB), which is aligned with the BNP.

Eyewitnesses reported that former DAB convener and current chief adviser, Professor Dr Farhad Halim, along with his supporters, confined the VC and syndicate members to meeting room.

Following this, supporters of Dr AZM Zahid Hassan, a BNP standing committee member, arrived at the scene. They chanted slogans against granting admission unlawfully. Eventually, the protesting doctors, who had failed the exam, withdrew the protest.

A medical officer, requesting anonymity, said "My elder brother tried three times but could not gain admission. When asked why, he said it was due to discrimination. Only those aligned with the Awami League are being admitted." 

The protesters were vocal about these grievances during the demonstration.

A Special Branch officer stationed outside the syndicate room mentioned, "A meeting is underway inside. There is no blockade. The VC is meeting with the protesting doctors. However, due to security provided by Ansar forces and the Special Branch, we were not allowed to enter the room or speak with the VC."

In response, the university's vice-chancellor, in a phone conversation, explained that a group of medical officers who have been working at BSMMU since 2003-2006 but were unable to participate in the residency exam created a disturbance this afternoon.

They had appeared for the residency exam but failed, and now they are demanding admission under the claim of being 'deprived.'

Brigadier General Rezaul Karim, the director of BSMMU, declined to comment on the matter.

Proctor of BSMMU Dr Sheikh Farhad said "We can provide details after the meeting."