Health adviser urges doctors to withdraw 'shutdown'

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum today (1 September) urged doctors to withdraw their "shutdown" enforced across the country, protesting attacks on physicians and vandalism carried out by relatives of a patient at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

"Two separate probe bodies have been formed to look into the attack on doctors, the incident of vandalism, and the allegation of negligence in treatment," she said at a press briefing at the Secretariat.

"You [doctors] are like my children. Please withdraw the shutdown as you have undertaken the responsibility of providing healthcare services to the people. You have made sacrifices. Please, prove again that you are here to serve the people... This is my humble request to you," she said.

Medical services at both private and public hospitals across the country, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), have been disrupted as doctors went on a strike protesting the attack on physicians by the relatives of a patient at the hospital's emergency department.

Patients seeking treatment at the hospital have since been facing significant difficulties due to the doctors' strike. Those already admitted, as well as new patients in need of urgent care, have been particularly affected.

Earlier on Saturday, three doctors from the Neuro Surgery department at DMCH were assaulted. Following the attack, doctors issued an ultimatum, demanding the arrest of those responsible within 24 hours.

However, the doctors decided to go on a strike before the deadline expired, expressing concerns for their safety.

Four people involved in the attack were detained and handed over to army personnel, said Bachu Mia, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost.

A patient had ingested poison and was declared dead by physicians in the emergency department. In response, the patient's relatives vandalised the emergency room.