Intern doctors go on nationwide strike over training policy, pay issues
Alongside the work stoppage, they also staged protests, human chains, and rallies in several locations, pressing home their demands
Intern doctors at government medical college hospitals across Bangladesh began a nationwide work stoppage today (7 June), demanding resolution of a six-point set of grievances related to training policies, allowances, workplace safety, and pay structure.
Doctors at major hospitals including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, along with nearly 30-35 other medical colleges, joined the strike simultaneously, said Dr Mostafa Amir Faisal, president of Intern Doctors Society.
Alongside the work stoppage, they also staged protests, human chains, and rallies in several locations, pressing home their demands.
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Doctors at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital submitted a memorandum to the hospital director after a protest rally, warning that the strike would continue until their demands are met. Similarly, doctors at Chattogram Medical College Hospital and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital held human chains, urging immediate implementation of their demands.
Leaders of the movement said the protest will continue until concrete action is taken. However, they also expressed willingness to reach a quick resolution, stressing the importance of completing internship and academic requirements without prolonged disruption.
Dr Faisal told The Business Standard that a meeting between representatives of the protesting doctors and senior officials of the health ministry is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Mohakhali.
The interns will announce their next course of action after the meeting, including whether to withdraw the strike, he added.
The Intern Doctors Society announced the nationwide strike last night through a notice signed by its president Dr Mostafa Amir Faisal and general secretary Dr Nabil bin Kashem.
The notice cited several concerns, including "unjustified" proposed reforms in FCPS training policies, increased admission-related fees, inadequate stipends for interns and trainees, workplace insecurity, and uncertainty over salary structures for private sector doctors.
The organisation said repeated assurances from authorities had not led to any visible progress, forcing them to escalate their movement.
