Protesters demanding reforms in the health sector continued their road blockades and hunger strikes in Barisal on Wednesday, including at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, after discussions attended by the director general of the Health Directorate, hospital administration, journalists, and others yielded no results, with representatives from the protests absent, according to one of the leaders.
Demonstrators have since then announced plans to continue their blockade programme and mass hunger strike.
Director General of the Health Directorate Md Abu Jafar has called upon protesters to come to the negotiation table and urged all parties to approach the issue with sincerity. On Wednesday afternoon, Abu Jafar visited the fasting protesters at the gate of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, listened to their demands, and attempted to persuade them to end their hunger strike by offering water and juice.
However, the protesters refused to break their fast unless the health adviser personally came to Barisal, vowing to continue their movement until then.
Earlier in the day, the Health DG held a discussion at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College with representatives from various political parties, doctors, journalists, and civil society members. Former leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement were present, but no representatives from the healthcare reform campaign attended.
Abu Jafar stated, “We are working to address doctor recruitment issues. Several steps have already been taken to meet the students’ demands.” He urged protesters to ensure their demonstrations do not cause public inconvenience.
Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division ATM Saiful Islam, Director of the Health Directorate Abu Hossain Mohammad Moinul Ahsan, the hospital director, divisional health officials, and the district administrator were also present.
Mohiuddin Rony, one of the protest leaders, claimed that no representatives from their movement were included in Wednesday’s discussions. “The Health DG lacks the authority to resolve our issues – he has many limitations. The health adviser must intervene to find a solution.”
He announced an escalation of protests, combining the ongoing Barisal blockade with a new mass hunger strike.
Meanwhile, clashes broke out between protesters and another group during the blockade in Natullabad area of Barisal city, leaving eight demonstrators injured. The injured were later admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.