A section of doctors and students staged a protest at the director’s office of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday over the transfer of a hospital employee, confining Director Brig Gen Asaduzzaman to his office for nearly two hours.
Around 100 doctors and students gathered at the office and demanded the director’s resignation. The protest continued from noon to 2pm.
Fourth-class employees also tried to enter the director’s office but were stopped by the protesting doctors and students. They later took position outside the office.
Following the incident, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and leaders of the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) rushed to the hospital. Their intervention led the protesters to leave the director’s office.
DAB Secretary General Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil said the dispute was being resolved.
“The issue that caused the dispute is on the way to being resolved. Everyone has returned to their respective duties. The secretary and the DG of the DGHS are currently discussing the matter inside,” he said.
The protesting doctors and students alleged that the director was appointed during the Awami League government and was involved in corruption. They claimed a decision had been taken to transfer a hospital official accused of corruption, but the director blocked the transfer because of their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
They also accused the director of being an ally of the previous regime and alleged that he had obstructed the treatment of students injured during the July uprising.
After the meeting, Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury told reporters that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding and had been resolved through discussions.
He said the dispute centred on the transfer of a hospital employee, whose transfer was later cancelled, allowing him to remain in his post. The entire matter would be investigated, he added.
The incident followed a dispute on Monday afternoon over the transfer of an administrative official. Doctors allegedly attempted to lock the official inside his office, but a hospital employee intervened. The employee was allegedly assaulted by doctors, prompting hospital employees and their leaders to gather in protest. The incident triggered a commotion on the hospital premises.