Road blockades, hunger strike continue in Barishal over health sector reform
A man was detained by protesters and handed over to police after he chanted “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.”
Protests demanding health sector reforms in Barishal entered their 15th day today (12 August), marked by road blockades, hunger strike, and escalating public disruption.
Organised under the banner of Chhatra Janata, demonstrators have been maintaining the blockade for five consecutive days to press their three-point demand for reforming Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and the wider healthcare system.
Around noon, protesters blocked the Dhaka-Barishal Highway at Nathullabad bus terminal, while students from several schools occupied the city's Sadar Road.
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At 11am, two 11th-grade students from Barishal Model School and College began a hunger strike at the main gate of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, demanding a seven-point reform plan for the institution. Both students reportedly fell ill during the protest.
The demonstrations brought the city to a standstill, causing severe traffic congestion, a shortage of vehicles, and growing frustration among residents.
People urged the authorities concerned to accept the demands promptly to end the public hardship.
Speaking to The Business Standard, protesting student Sifat said, "We have been protesting for a long time to reform the country's health sector, but the authorities have yet to engage in any discussion with us." He vowed to continue protesting until reforms are implemented.
Another student, Mehedi Hasan, called on the government's health adviser to visit Barishal and accept their demands, warning that no one would be able to stop their movement otherwise.
Sabbir Hossain, another student protester, said the hunger strikers were in critical condition and warned that the protest would escalate if their demands were ignored.
"Instead of addressing our legitimate demands, the government is intimidating us using police and military forces," he alleged.
The hospital's director Moshiur Munir told the media on Sunday he had requested three months to implement reforms. Protesters, however, said they would not wait that long.
Separately, a man named Sorowar Talukder was detained by protesters and handed over to police after concluding a speech in solidarity with the movement by chanting "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu."
Protesters claimed the slogan signalled political alignment with the Awami League.
Talukder denied being an Awami League member and said it was an unintentional slip for which he had already apologised.
Barishal Metropolitan Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zakir Hossain Sikdar told TBS that they are verifying Talukder's identity.
"We are checking whether any case has been filed against him."
