Intern doctors nationwide split over strike as High Court issues ruling

Intern doctors across the country staged a work stoppage today, demanding the fulfilment of five demands, including the publication of the full High Court verdict on the use of the title "doctor."

The strike disrupted outpatient services at medical colleges in Rajshahi, Chattogram, Kushtia, Khulna, Sylhet, and Barishal, leaving thousands of patients without treatment.

However, following the High Court ruling that only individuals with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree can use the title "doctor" before their name, intern doctors are now divided on whether to continue the strike.

The verdict addressed one of the key demands of the protesting intern doctors.

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.

Meanwhile, outpatient departments at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and several other hospitals remained paralysed due to the strike. Many patients, including children and the elderly, were forced to return home without treatment.

Dr Moniruzzaman Shahin, assistant director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said, "We know the interns have called for a work stoppage with five demands. But it is not clear if doctors have officially joined the strike. Patients received treatment in the morning, but later, services were disrupted. When I asked the outpatient department staff, they themselves were uncertain whether they were officially on strike or not."

At Kushtia Medical College, doctors expressed their commitment to continuing the movement until further instructions from their central leadership.

Dr Akramuruzzaman 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."

He added, "There was a time when Bangladesh faced a shortage of medical doctors, leading to the establishment of Medical Assistant Training Schools. Their role was always to assist doctors. But today, medical assistants are demanding to be recognised as full-fledged doctors, which is unrealistic. While they may provide treatment within certain limits in villages and towns, only those with an MBBS or BDS degree should be recognised as doctors. This is a global standard that must be upheld."

The five demands behind the intern doctors' strike are: Only individuals with an MBBS or BDS degree should be allowed to use the title "doctor." The OTC drug list must be updated according to international standards. The doctor shortage in the health sector must be resolved. All substandard medical institutions must be closed. A law ensuring doctors' protection must be implemented.