Intern doctors at Barisal Sher E Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) have launched a strike to protest an alleged attack by relatives of a deceased patient and to press four key demands.
The protest began on Saturday, at 10am, following the death of an eight-year-old boy named Junayed, who had been admitted to the children's ward with various ailments, including pneumonia.
The child passed away on Friday at around 6:30pm.
According to intern doctor Akib, after Junayed's death, a relative named Sathi Akhtar verbally abused the medical staff, accusing them of negligence in treatment.
In response, the intern doctors decided to strike to protest the assault and demand better conditions.
The interns have outlined four primary demands: 24-hour security for medical staff, patient admissions and care based on bed capacity, and the immediate formulation of protective legislation for doctors.
SBMCH Ward Master Abul Kalam Azad said that a child died while receiving treatment in the hospital and that the mother of the deceased child attacked an intern doctor following the incident.
A case has been filed against the mother, as reported by the ward master.
Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman said that the ward master is the plaintiff in the case, emphasizing that the accused must be brought to justice.
Currently, all 220 intern doctors at the hospital are participating in the strike. Dr Akib warned that if their demands are not met, there will be severe agitation, and all doctors have expressed their solidarity with the movement.
In response to the situation, the Director of SBMCH, Dr HM Saiful Islam, assured that the demands raised by the striking doctors would be addressed, although he noted that this would require time.
Deputy Director Dr Moniruzzaman Shaheen added that a letter has been sent to all unit heads to ensure that both indoor and outdoor medical services continue to operate during the strike.