Intern doctors at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (SHZMC) Hospital in Bogra called off their two-day strike on Thursday after authorities assured them of increased security and action against those accused of attacking doctors.
The interns began the strike at midnight on Tuesday after several colleagues were injured when relatives of a patient who died at the hospital allegedly attacked doctors on duty.
They decided to resume work following a nearly three-hour meeting involving political leaders, the district administration and hospital authorities at the hospital auditorium on Thursday.
Intern doctor Ritul Mondal Snigdha confirmed the decision.
SHZMC Hospital Deputy Director Dr Manzur-e-Morshed said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the interns agreed to return to work after being assured that their demands would be addressed.
Their demands included expelling those involved in the attack who allegedly acted in the name of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), increasing police presence, deploying armed Ansar personnel and appointing the required staff for 18 beds.
The interns resumed their normal duties from Thursday night, the deputy director said.
Meanwhile, five JCD leaders were expelled from the organization over their alleged involvement in the incident.
15 doctors allegedly injured
Abdul Malek, of Rajapur village in Bogra Sadar, died while undergoing treatment in the Medicine Ward on the seventh floor of the hospital at around 10pm on Tuesday.
Following his death, his relatives allegedly attacked doctors on duty with locally made weapons. Several doctors were injured, including intern doctor Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who suffered a broken hand, and Azraf Islam, who sustained bleeding injuries.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, the interns said at least 15 of their colleagues had been injured, six of them seriously.
The attackers also allegedly vandalized medical equipment and government property, causing an estimated Tk2.1 lakh in damage. Three mobile phones and a stethoscope were reportedly taken from the ward.
Police rushed to the hospital and brought the situation under control.
Hospital Ward Master Anwar Hossain filed a case with Bogra Sadar police station, naming seven people and eight to 10 unidentified individuals as accused.
Police arrested six people on Wednesday afternoon and, following a court order, sent them to Bogra jail.
JCD expels five leaders
While Thursday’s meeting was underway, Bogra city JCD announced the expulsion of five leaders for disciplinary violations.
They are Ward 18 Convener Nafiul Islam, Senior Joint Convener Monir Hossain, Joint Convener Md Pranto Islam, member Rakibul Hasan Rakib and Ward 19 Assistant Organizational Secretary SM Shihab.
District JCD President Habibur Rashid Sandhan said strict organizational and legal action was being taken against those involved in the attack.
Services disrupted for two days
The interns’ strike disrupted services at the hospital for two days, although emergency services remained operational. Patients and their relatives travelling from different areas faced difficulties.
At around 10am on Thursday, the interns also closed the outpatient department ticket counter, causing anger among patients and their relatives. The counter reopened after hospital authorities intervened.
During Thursday’s meeting, District Commissioner Toufikur Rahman, Police Superintendent Mirza Sayem Mahmud, District Council Administrator AKM Ahsanul Tayeb Zakir, Bogra City Corporation Administrator MR Islam Swadhin, former SHZMC principal Professor Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, current principal Professor Dr Wadudul Haque Tarafdar, Deputy Director Dr Manzur-e-Morshed, medical leaders, and social and political leaders were present.
Hospital services returned to normal after the interns called off their strike.