Mitford’s intern docs announce 2-day work halt, students join in solidarity over security concerns
All emergency services are excluded from this work abstention
Intern doctors at Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital have announced a two-day work stoppage over what they describe as ongoing security threats on campus.
However, all emergency services are excluded from this abstention.
The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the Intern Doctors' Society (IDS) yesterday (13 July) evening.
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Despite recent measures taken, the doctors said the hospital environment remains vulnerable, citing the unchecked entry of outsiders and frequent political and non- political gatherings on hospital grounds.
The protest follows a brutal daylight killing on Thursday (9 July) just outside the hospital, footage of which went viral on social media that sparked outrage. The situation has left the medical staff rattled and raised widespread security concerns among them.
The brutal killing is allegedly linked to individuals fighting over gaining control of a nearby scrap metal trade.
Following the concerns, the IDS submitted a memorandum to the authorities yesterday on behalf of all intern doctors, outlining several demands to improve campus safety.
These include the mandatory round-the-clock deployment of Ansar personnel and the appointment of armed Ansar members at all hospital gates and 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 alongside the urgent installation of a police box at Mitford Hospital.
In solidarity, general students at Sir Salimullah Medical College also held an emergency meeting. While acknowledging limited progress on their demands, they said most remain unaddressed.
Earlier, the students declared plans to form a human chain and hold a protest rally on campus at 10:00am Monday.
Organisers urged all students to join and will formally petition the Principal and Director to act on their outstanding demands. Further action will depend on the administration's response, they said.
The intern doctors stated that further action will depend on how authorities respond to their demands.
