CMCH interns threaten indefinite work stoppage from tomorrow over training policy, pay demands
The announcement was made during a protest programme held in front of the hospital's main gate at around 1pm today
Intern doctors at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) have announced a fresh ultimatum to the government, announcing an indefinite work stoppage from tomorrow morning (7 June) if their six-point demands are not met.
The announcement was made during a protest programme held in front of the hospital's main gate at around 1pm today (6 June).
The protesting doctors alleged that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently introduced several controversial conditions in its policy decisions regarding FCPS training.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
These include suspending the placement of new trainees in certain departments at selected hospitals, requiring doctors to serve two years at the upazila level, and limiting stipends to a restricted number of trainees.
Among their key demands are the withdrawal of the FCPS training directive issued on 19 May and the formulation of a new policy, the enactment of a Health Worker Protection Act with implementation through a speedy trial tribunal, raising the monthly allowance for intern doctors to Tk30,000, introducing a separate pay scale for government physicians, and increasing the age limit for entry into the BCS Health Cadre to 34 years.
They also demanded that the BMDC Act-2025 be transformed into a comprehensive law, stricter legal action against individuals posing as doctors, and the fixation of admission examination fees under the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) and Bangladesh Medical University at a maximum of Tk1,000.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) issued a statement saying that, following discussions with the health ministry, the requirement for mandatory training at the upazila level had been withdrawn.
The statement also said private trainees who have passed the FCPS Part-I examination would be eligible for stipends if they undergo training at BCPS-recognised government medical college hospitals and institutes.
This morning, intern doctors gathered at the hospital's main entrance carrying banners and reiterated their commitment to continue the movement until their demands are fulfilled.
They warned if no positive decision is announced by tonight, the work stoppage will begin at 8am tomorrow.
Speaking at the programme, Sakib Hossain, president of the CMCH Intern Doctors' Association, said intern doctors still do not have a separate pay structure despite working long hours.
"The current allowance is not compatible with the cost of living. We demand a monthly allowance of Tk30,000 for intern doctors and at least Tk50,000 for trainee doctors, with regular and timely disbursement ensured," he said.
