Private ambulance owners have been observing a strike for the second consecutive day, demanding parking facilities on the premises of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
The strike has caused suffering for patients and their relatives, leaving many struggling to arrange transport for treatment on Wednesday.
Many patients and their relatives were seen waiting near the emergency department, outdoor department and in front of Building No. 2.
Rezaul Karim, the brother of a patient named Seema Akter, was waiting for an ambulance in front of the emergency department.
He said, “My sister was injured in a road accident on the Mawa Road yesterday. After treating her at DMCH, the doctors here advised us to take her to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as Pangu Hospital. However, despite trying for two to three hours, I could not arrange an ambulance.
“I called 999 but still could not get one. Finally, a driver of a government ambulance belonging to Dhaka Medical, parked in front of the emergency department, told us he could take her to Pangu Hospital. We are now taking her there in that vehicle.”
Shaheen Gazi, a patient who came from Savar, was seen waiting for transport near the emergency department. His younger brother, Shamim Gazi, said, “We need to take him [Shaheen] to Ibn Sina Hospital in Lalbagh for an MRI. But even after waiting for half an hour, we still cannot find an ambulance.”
Another person, Shafik Ahmed said, “The entire hospital is being run through syndicates, and ambulance services are no exception. I cannot even bring an ambulance from outside to take a patient away, as the drivers here are obstructing us. They are holding patients hostage due to their movement.”
Sources said that the private ambulance owners’ association is seeking to introduce an app-based ambulance service for patients. This could force patients to pay higher fares to access ambulance services. A syndicate known as Emon-Badal, reportedly linked to the Jubo Dal, has come under pressure following the suspension of the app-based service, which allegedly generated Tk12 lakh to Tk15 lakh a month.
A member of the Dhaka Medical Private Ambulance Owners’ Association, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the hospital’s previous director had introduced an app-based ambulance service to improve patient convenience. However, he claimed that a syndicate involving members of the owners’ association manipulated the fare structure on the app, significantly increasing charges.
He added trips that would normally cost around Tk1,000 were billed at Tk2,500 under the app-based system, while fares of Tk8,000 were increased to between Tk12,000 and Tk13,000.
He further alleged that several syndicates, including the private ambulance owners’ association, collected commissions through the app-based service. He claimed the commissions amounted to Tk30,000 to Tk40,000 per day.
The member said the newly appointed hospital director had discontinued the app-based service, which had effectively ended the flow of commission payments.
Another ambulance owner alleged that the demand for parking facilities inside the hospital compound was being used as a pretext.
“The demand for parking inside the hospital is essentially an eyewash,” he said. “The real objective is to bring back the app-based ambulance service that enabled excessive fare collection. If they are allowed to park inside the hospital again, they will eventually be able to restart the app service. That is why they are making these efforts.”
He further alleged that some of those leading the movement hold political positions, making it difficult for ambulance owners who oppose the demands to continue operating services despite wanting to do so.
“All expenses related to this strike programme are being borne by people associated with that app company,” he claimed.
According to information obtained by TIMES, the strike is being led by Md Badal, general secretary of the Bangladesh Ambulance Owners Welfare Association, and Md Iman Ali, general secretary of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital Private Ambulance Owners’ Association.
Sources alleged that Badal serves as president of the Dhaka Medical unit of Jubo Dal, while Emon is seeking the position of general secretary. They further claimed that the two men were involved in sharing the monthly commissions, reportedly amounting to Tk12 lakh to Tk15 lakh, generated through the app-based ambulance service.
Emon however said the strike will continue if the demands are not met by Wednesday.
