Doctors and health workers at all levels have lifted the complete shutdown they previously announced after consulting with Health Adviser to the Interim Government Nurjahan Begum.
The protest had been sparked by an attack on doctors and the death of a patient at DMCH. During a press briefing at 2pm on Sunday, the doctors had said that they would continue the shutdown until their demands were met.
Around 3pm, the Health Adviser visited DMCH and held a meeting with the protesters, after which the withdrawal of the shutdown was announced.
After the meeting, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said: "I strongly condemn the heinous attack on doctors who have served during COVID, dengue, and the quota movement. We will ensure security measures in all major hospitals. Those who failed to fulfil their duties will be brought to justice, and those involved in this crime will be arrested."
She added: "I am not well-versed in the Health Protection Act. To address this, a new law may need to be created. This matter requires discussion to determine if the law can be enacted, which will take time."
DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman said, "Doctors will now resume emergency medical services. We will ensure their security through coordination with the Army, Police, BGB, and Ansar. They have moved away from a complete shutdown after receiving the assurances they sought."
Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, attended the meeting between the doctors and the Health Adviser.
Following the meeting, Hasnat Abdullah expressed condemnation of the attacks on medical professionals and assured that security would be provided to those working in the sector.
What are the demands
The doctors and health professionals have three demands:
- Immediate arrest of the culprits in the attack and assurance of exemplary punishment.
- Deployment of army and other security forces at all district, upazila, headquarters, and divisional hospitals, including Dhaka Medical, within 7 days. Additionally, an individual health police force under the Directorate of Health should be established within 7 days to ensure the security of doctors.
- Formulation and swift implementation of an effective Physician Protection Act within 7 days.
The doctors demanded that all individuals or groups involved in the attack inside DMCH be identified and arrested within the next 24 hours and brought to justice under the Speedy Trial Act.
They added that to ensure a safe workplace, security must be immediately ensured at all healthcare institutions in the country through the deployment of armed ‘health police’.
To provide safe healthcare, no outsiders other than patients' visitors (visitor cardholders) should be allowed to enter the hospital, with security ensured by armed "health police", the doctors said..
Additionally, if any irregularities or negligence in patient care are observed at the hospital, appropriate action should be taken through complaints to the relevant authorities. Under no circumstances should individuals take the law into their own hands.
How it all started:
Ahsanul Haque Dipto, a 23-year-old student from the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT), was injured in a motorcycle accident in the Cantonment area on Friday night around 10 p.m. He was rushed to DMCH but succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
After Dipto’s death, his relatives accused the hospital staff of medical negligence and assaulted a doctor, leading to a tense standoff at the hospital that lasted from the afternoon into the night.
Other reports indicate that at least three doctors from the NeuroSurgery department at DMCH were assaulted. Following the attack, doctors issued an ultimatum demanding the arrest of those responsible within 24 hours.
Later, several student movement coordinators represented the students. A meeting was held between BUBT Vice Chancellor Dr Md Ali Noor, DMCH Director Brig Gen Md Asaduzzaman, doctors, and students at the hospital.
The situation worsened with a violent clash between two groups in the Sipahibagh area of Khilgaon on Saturday. Several injured individuals were brought to DMCH for treatment. During the incident, members of one group reportedly entered the emergency department armed with machetes and attacked the other group, resulting in five injuries.
Four individuals involved in the attack were detained and handed over to army personnel, according to Bachu Mia, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost.
Simultaneously, a patient who had ingested poison was declared dead by physicians in the emergency department. In response, the patient’s relatives vandalized the emergency room. Following these repeated attacks, doctors nationwide announced a complete shutdown of all public and private hospitals on Sunday.
