Neuroscience doctors to decide on ending strike after director’s resignation notice

Physicians at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital will decide this morning whether to end their work abstention, subject to the issuance of a notice regarding the resignation of the director.

The strike, which began on Wednesday, was prompted by an attack on doctors – who have been demanding the resignation of both the director and joint director – by third- and fourth-class hospital employees.

While routine operations have been suspended, emergency services, including surgeries, continue, several doctors at the facility told The Business Standard this afternoon.

Professor Dr Quazi Deen Mohammad, the director of the institute, has tendered his resignation letter to the health ministry. However, a new director has yet to be appointed. 

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, an associate professor at the institute, told TBS that doctors are on strike to protest an attack on medical staff, demanding the resignation of both the director and joint director. 

"Emergency services and operations are continuing. Only routine operations are not being carried out. We are waiting for the notification to be issued. We will accept whoever the government appoints as the new director; we have no further demands," he added.

Dr Deen Mohammad has accused Dr Mahfuzur Rahman of inciting the fourth-class employees to disrupt services, claiming they intend to withhold work to prevent patient care. Despite this, he emphasised the institute's commitment to ensuring patients continue to receive services. 

Deen Mohammad, the founding director of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, has had his contract extended five times by the government.

Dr Md Farhad Ahmed, assistant professor at the institute, told TBS that a decision on whether to end the strike will be announced at a programme after 9am on Sunday. He also accused Deen Mohammad of attempting to rehabilitate fascists. 

The neurosciences hospital is considered one of the best government hospitals in the country, with many attributing its success to the contributions of Director Dr Deen Mohammad and Joint Director Professor Dr Md Badrul Alam.

When asked if the absence of Deen Mohammad as director would cause any issues, the doctors responded that since the system has been established, there should be no problem. 

"There is no alternative. Keeping the post occupied is a sign of fascism," a protesting doctor commented.

Additionally, four months ago, Professor Dr Gurudas Mondal, a leader of the Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), a pro-Awami League platform of doctors, was transferred from the Neurosciences Hospital to Pabna Medical College Hospital. 

His recent return to the institute sparked anger among the doctors.

On 12 February, the protesting doctors had gathered in room 402 of the hospital demanding the cancellation of Dr Mondal's appointment order. Third- and fourth-class employees, along with outsourced workers, attacked the doctors, injuring at least 10 people, including two doctors.