Patients suffer as intern doctors' strike at Rajshahi, Ctg, other medical hospitals
The striking doctors have warned of further action if the verdict is delayed
Highlights:
- Outpatient service disrupted at many hospitals
- In Rajshahi, doctors suspend pvt practice in solidarity with interns
- Doctor title only for MBBS/BDS graduates, HC rules
- Central directive sought regarding the decision
Thousands of patients seeking treatment had to return home without being treated today as outpatient services at almost all medical colleges were disrupted owing to an intern doctors' strike across the country.
The strike began to press home a five-point demand, including that only individuals with an MBBS or BDS degree should be allowed to use the title "doctor."
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However, following the High Court ruling later in the day regarding the use of the title "doctor" went in their favour, intern doctors became divided on whether to continue the strike.
The strike disrupted outpatient services at medical colleges in Rajshahi, Chattogram, Kushtia, Khulna, Sylhet, and Barishal, leaving thousands of patients, including children and the elderly, without treatment.
Chattogram Medical College Hospital Director Brig Gen Taslim Uddin stated that senior and junior doctors are working in the wards to compensate for the absence of interns, but outpatient services remain affected.
Rajshahi Intern Doctors Forum President Dr Abdullah said, "If the full verdict is not published after withdrawal of the MATS (Medical Assistant Training School) writ, emergency services will also be stopped."
In Rajshahi, doctors have also suspended private practice indefinitely in support of the demands.
Meanwhile, intern doctors and medical students held a demonstration in front of the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital academic building around noon.
Later, while those at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital withdrew their protest, intern doctors at Chattogram Medical College Hospital and several other district medical colleges have vowed to continue the work stoppage until a central directive is issued.
Outpatient departments at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital also remained paralysed due to the strike.
Dr Moniruzzaman Shahin, assistant director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said, "Patients received treatment in the morning, but later, services were disrupted."
At Kushtia Medical College, doctors expressed their commitment to continuing the movement until further instructions from their central leadership.
Dr Akramuzzaman Mintu, associate professor and head of the Medicine Department, stated, "Since this movement is coordinated by medical colleges across the country, we will continue our activities in solidarity with the central decision until a formal announcement is made."
The five demands behind the intern doctors' strike include OTC [over-the-counter] drug list must be updated according to international standards; doctor shortage in the health sector must be resolved; all substandard medical institutions must be closed, and a law ensuring doctors' protection must be implemented.
