Intern doctors at Khulna Medical College went on a work abstention, protesting the appointment of Dr Md Zahirul Haque as head of the Medicine Department.
The interns announced the programme after an emergency meeting at the hospital auditorium around noon, saying they would continue the work abstention until their demands were met.
According to an office order issued by Khulna Medical College Principal Prof Syed Amanul Islam on 24 September, the current head of the Medicine Department Prof ABM Saiful Alam is scheduled to go on post-retirement leave (PRL) on 30 September.
The order said Dr Md Zahirul Haque, a professor of the department serving on an acting basis, would take charge from Prof Saiful Alam on his last working day and perform the duties of department head.
The protesting interns raised several allegations against Zahirul, describing him as a central leader and life member of the Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), a professional organisation of physicians in Bangladesh that is politically aligned with the Awami League.
They also questioned his appointment to important academic and administrative positions shortly after he completed his FCPS in Medicine in 2022.
The work stoppage disrupted services in several wards of the hospital.
Intern doctors were absent from Medicine Wards 5 and 6 in the afternoon. Around 1:45pm, the designated desks and chairs for intern doctors in Wards 7 and 8 were also found vacant.
The impact of the work abstention was also reported in the surgery and other wards.
Patients and their attendants expressed concern over the disruption and called for a quick resolution to the dispute and restoration of normal medical services.
Hospital officials said government doctors continued to provide regular treatment despite the interns’ work stoppage.
Attempts to contact officials of Khulna Medical College for comment were unsuccessful.
The interns began their work abstention around noon and said they would continue it until their demands were met.
