Forty-one doctors have been declared unwanted by one doctor at Khulna Medical College Hospital, leading to significant difficulties for patients.
The outpatient department has come to a standstill, causing significant inconvenience to patients due to the actions of a doctor who identified himself as a BNP leader.
The acting director among 41 doctors has been declared unwanted, resulting in a halt in outpatient services. The BNP claims that the doctor is not affiliated with the party.
A section of medical college students and doctors forced the acting deputy director to resign and declared 41 doctors unwanted on Tuesday, causing a near-total shutdown of outpatient services. The unwanted doctors have not reported to the hospital, leading to severe difficulties for patients traveling from distant areas to receive medical care.
Meanwhile, senior cardiologist Dr Mustafa Kamal, who led the student faction, was not found at the hospital.
BNP leaders assert that Dr Kamal is not a member of the BNP or any committee of the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB). The hospital is currently in a state of high tension.
Mohammad Faruk, the convener of BNP's ward no 17 in the city, stated that Dr Mustafa Kamal is not affiliated with the BNP, but his actions have led to a paralysis of hospital operations.
He mentioned that following the instructions of BNP's city unit convener Shafiqul Islam Mona, he visited the hospital to observe the situation.
Almost all outpatient services at KMCH are closed. Some departments are still providing medical services. The unwanted doctors have not appeared at the hospital, with their attendants indicating that the doctors are staying away due to security concerns.
Patients and their relatives report that they have been unable to receive treatment and are being sent back.
According to hospital sources, a section of the medical college students forced the acting deputy director, Dr Akhtaruzzaman, to resign on Tuesday.
At the same time, they declared 41 doctors unwanted. The students were led by Dr Mustafa Kamal, an assistant professor in the cardiology department. As a result, many doctors did not come to the hospital on Wednesday due to security risks.
Doctors absent citing insecurity
The hospital was found to be in a state of disarray, with several doctors absent from their rooms.
For instance, Dr Pritam Chakraborty (Room 202), Dr Himel Saha (Room 209), Dr Aniruddha Sardar (Room 207), Dr Sheikh Tasnuba Alam (Room 205), Dr Subrata Kumar Mondal (Room 204), Dr Suhas Ranjan Halder (Room 203), Dr Deep Kumar Das (Room 211), Dr Suman Ray (Room 212), Dr Tadarit Kanti Ghosh (Room 103), Dr Nirupam Mondal (Room 308), Dr Abdullah Al Mamun (Room 204), Dr Roni Debnath Talukdar (Room 411), Dr Mithun Kumar Pal (Room 410), Dr Zillur Rahman Tarun (Room 412), and Dr Shivendu Mistri (Room 105), among others, were notably absent.
In addition, 21 doctors from various internal departments, including registrars, assistant registrars, and consultants, were also found absent, leading to a complete breakdown of the hospital’s medical services.
Arefin Billah, who came from Rampal Upazila in Bagerhat, has reported arriving in the morning but finding no doctors available for consultation.
Sadia Afrin, a patient, also reported arriving early in the morning without being able to see a doctor. There is uncertainty about whether doctors will be available the following day.
The hospital staff responsible for managing patient appointments reported that they found doctors absent when they arrived in the morning.
Upon calling, the doctors mentioned security concerns as the reason for their absence, resulting in many patients being sent back without receiving medical care.
Dr Suman Ray, a resident medical officer (RMO) at KMCH, stated that discussions were ongoing with intern doctors regarding their demands when Dr Mustafa Kamal and some students surrounded them, forcing the acting deputy director to resign.
The students also declared around 41 doctors unwanted, leading to a sense of insecurity among the remaining doctors, who then did not come to the hospital, he added.
Sajidul Islam Bappi, co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, criticized the action of declaring unwanted a large number of doctors in one day, noting that it disrupts medical services.
He mentioned that Dr Mustafa Kamal's name had repeatedly surfaced in these issues, and an investigation would be conducted.
He emphasized that such decisions should follow proper procedures to avoid disrupting healthcare services.
On Tuesday, a list of 41 doctors, including the director, deputy director, assistant director, RMO, and registrar, was prepared by the students, citing accusations of murder attempts, threats, corruption, and links with the ruling Awami League.
A complaint was also filed at Sonadanga police station by a victimized doctor regarding vandalism and assault by Dr Mustafa Kamal during a previous protest.