Dispute between physicians and administrative officials turns sour
The longstanding dispute between administrative officials and physicians has now taken a severe turn as leaders of both blocks continue bringing allegations against each other.
In the latest development, physician leaders alleged that a senior official of the Health Ministry is trying to reap benefits from the current unstable situation.
Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) and Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad (SWACHIP) made the allegation through a joint statement on Tuesday.
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The statement, signed by BMA President, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin and SWACHIP President, Dr Iqbal Arslan, said whenever the physicians raise their voices against prevailing issues, a certain section of administrative officials always try to mask the situation by making deliberate statements against them.
"It is truly unfortunate that whenever discussions arise over eliminating inter-cadre discrimination for the overall wellbeing of the country, as directed by the Prime Minister, promotion of physicians, taking into consideration a range of qualifying factors, including contribution during the Liberation War, corruption and irregularities in the Health Ministry, senior administrative officials try to cover up the issues by speaking against the physician leaders," read the statement.
Without addressing any official in particular, the physician leaders said "If any member of the Ministry speaks in favor of independence and the Liberation War, but works in a way that is contrary to those values, we will always stand firm against him. We unequivocally state that this is just a technique to catch fish in muddy waters."
However, both platforms vowed to continue to stand firm against any move that undermines the dignity and rights of physicians, any policy that fosters discrimination among cadres, and any order that rehabilitates anti-independence activists in the health sector.
Earlier on October 18, the physician leaders had expressed their displeasure over the appointment of administrative officials to different institutions of the health sector, while disregarding doctors in the decision-making process.
