Rajshahi Medical College Hospital interns withdraw strike after 24 hours

Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) have withdrawn their 24-hour work stoppage following assurances from the hospital authorities over their demands.

The decision was announced at a press conference held today (22 April) in the room of the emergency department in charge.

Earlier, the strike began at 9am today after an altercation involving the relatives of a deceased patient.

The deceased, Juliara Begum, 50, of Dhormohata village under Charghat upazila, died on Monday night while undergoing treatment in Ward 36 of the hospital. Following her death, her two sons alleged that negligence by doctors led to her demise. 

The intern doctors, however, said that the sons behaved aggressively after the incident. 

At the press conference, the intern doctors claimed that there was no negligence in the treatment of the patient whose death triggered the incident. 

They said the patient required admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and a serial was arranged for a bed.

However, no ICU bed was immediately available as other patients were already in the queue.

They further stated that at the time of the patient's death, the on-duty intern doctor was simultaneously attending to two other critically ill patients.

The intern doctors said they went on strike with four demands, including ensuring adequate security in the hospital and the presence of mid-level physicians in the wards.

They added that the hospital administration has responded positively to their demands, leading to the withdrawal of the strike.

Meanwhile, hospital spokesperson Dr Shonkor K. Bishwash said RMCH continues to receive patients far beyond its capacity, while only 262 intern doctors are available to provide services.

He said the doctors are working under immense pressure and urged all concerned to cooperate with them to maintain smooth healthcare services at the hospital.