Unani-Ayurvedic students demand independent council

Students of the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College continued their protest for the third consecutive day, demanding the formation of an independent Unani-Ayurvedic council.

Starting from 11am today (9 July), they began a sit-in by surrounding the Service Building of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the capital's Mohakhali.

During the protest, students chanted various slogans such as "One demand, one goal — we want an independent council," "Cancel the illegal letter," and "Unani-Ayurvedic doctors bring pride, broker syndicates bring shame."

Tanvir Ahmed, a student of the 34th batch, told The Business Standard, "Health is a fundamental right. Traditional medicine has been practiced for thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent, Greece, Germany, China, and many other countries. The World Health Organization is working to make this affordable, side-effect-free treatment accessible to everyone globally."

"To implement this initiative, the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College was established in the 1990s in Mirpur, Dhaka. Although doctors from this institution are committed to public welfare, they are constantly harassed due to the absence of a proper legal council," he said.

"The only solution to the problems faced over the past 35 years is the implementation of a legal council. Therefore, we strongly urge the concerned authorities to swiftly implement the law and establish the council," he added.

The protest began on 7 July with a siege of the Directorate of Health Education.

On 8 July, the main entrance was blocked.

Earlier on 30 June, a letter issued by the Medical Education-2 branch of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division sparked controversy regarding Unani-Ayurvedic medical education.

Students alleged that the letter was one-sided, biased, and against policy, and that it threatens their registration, employment, and opportunities for higher education.