Intern doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) have issued a 48-hour ultimatum, threatening to launch a simultaneous nationwide protest programme if their four-point demands for workplace safety and justice are not met.
The announcement was made during a press conference held on Saturday at the administrative block of DMCH.
Speaking at the event, Nabil Bin Kashem, General Secretary of the DMCH Intern Doctors’ Society, noted that the recommendations of a recently formed six-member probe committee reflected the four-point demands previously submitted by the interns.
The demands include the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of those involved in the recent assault on physicians. The interns specifically urged the Dhaka University (DU) authorities to disclose the identities of the students involved and ensure they face disciplinary action.
Furthermore, the doctors are calling for the immediate passage of the ‘Health Protection Act’ to ensure the safety of both healthcare providers and patients. Other demands include the permanent deployment of armed police at the hospital’s emergency department and the issuance of official notices regarding punitive measures for any future attacks on medical staff.
The unrest follows an incident last Wednesday evening, where a group of students from Dhaka University’s Amar Ekushey Hall allegedly clashed with doctors at DMCH, citing allegations of medical negligence toward an ill student.
A six-member investigation committee, comprising representatives from the university, the hospital, and the police, was subsequently formed to look into the matter.
The intern doctors pointed out that physicians were also attacked at Dinajpur Medical College last Wednesday, highlighting a worrying trend of violence. They warned that if effective measures are not taken and their demands remain unfulfilled within 48 hours, they will be forced to initiate a coordinated strike across all medical colleges in the country.
