Intern doctors at Mitford Hospital observe work stoppage over security concerns

Intern doctors at Dhaka's Mitford Hospital began a work stoppage from 8:00 am on Sunday (13 July), protesting what they describe as a continued lack of security on the hospital campus. 

In support of the protest, students from Sir Salimullah Medical College also boycotted their classes.

Dr Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, president of the Intern Doctors Society (IDS), told The Business Standard around 4:30pm that the strike had been ongoing since the morning and a meeting was underway to decide the next course of action.

The strike comes in the backdrop of a brutal daylight killing near Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka on Thursday.

The incident left the city shocked, after CCTV footage of the incident surfaced on social media showing a group of men savagely attacking another man's lifeless body in full public view, allegedly over control of scrap copper wire and metal business.

Following this, the IDS submitted a memorandum to the authorities on behalf of all intern doctors, outlining several demands to improve campus safety. 

These include the mandatory round-the-clock deployment of Ansar (auxiliary police) personnel and the appointment of armed Ansar members. 

The doctors have called for Ansar personnel to be stationed at every hospital gate, and for a significant number of female Ansar members to be appointed specifically for hospital security.

They also demand that Ansar forces be deployed in the female intern doctors' hostel. 

Additionally, the memorandum calls for immediate action against various irregularities in the hospital and for Ansar personnel to be properly trained to handle emergency or adverse situations. 

Finally, the IDS has urged the urgent installation of a police box at Mitford Hospital.

The intern doctors have stated that further action will depend on how authorities respond to these demands.