Intern doctors at Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital have gone on indefinite strike with four demands after a clash with relatives of a patient who died Tuesday night.
They announced the strike at a press conference on Wednesday noon. Their demands include arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack, deployment of armed Ansar and stronger security at the hospital, measures to control patient overload, and limiting attendants to one per patient.
Since hospital services are being disrupted, authorities have opened talks with the interns.
Intern doctors Ritul Mandal Snigdha, Arpon and Ridwan Uddin said that they will continue the strike until the attackers are punished and doctors’ safety ensured.
They said a critically ill patient suffering from breathing difficulties and shock was admitted Tuesday night. Despite efforts, he died around 10pm. Relatives then turned violent, attacking doctors and interns.
At least 15 interns were injured, including six in critical condition. The interns described the assault as attempted murder.
They added that although the hospital’s bed capacity has been raised to 1,800, staffing has not increased accordingly.
Doctors face heavy pressure, with units meant for 20 patients holding up to 120. They also alleged that despite the presence of Ansar and a police outpost, security support was not provided promptly during the attack.
One attendant, Sayed Ali, said doctors only made a brief round in the morning and left, leaving nurses to handle patients. Another, Ashiq, said doctors’ presence had been thin since the incident.
Nitai, another relative, said grief can cause families to speak harshly, but the situation on Tuesday turned violent. He urged doctors to resume normal services so other patients are not deprived.
The hospital’s Deputy Director Manjur‑E‑Murshed said discussions with the interns were underway and details will be shared after talks concluded.
