Students of the Medical Assistant Training School (Mats) staged a sit-in at Shahbagh on Sunday, demanding the fulfilment of their four-point demands after previous assurances from the health ministry went unaddressed.
The demonstration began at 10:30am, with students occupying the Dhaka University to Shahbagh Road instead of blocking the main intersection.
The students said they had paused their earlier protests after the health ministry sought seven days to address their concerns. However, as no visible progress has been made, they have resumed their demonstration and vowed to continue until a draft policy is formulated.
Mats student Hasan Al Hasan said: "We just want recognition. Mats students have no identity, no job opportunities. Where do we go from here? We are serving patients without pay during our internships, yet there is no assurance of employment. If the system does not recognize us as doctors, at least provide us with a job and an identity."
Another protester, Israil Hossain Nobel, echoed similar concerns: "If the health ministry does not provide a draft policy today, our movement will continue. Even after seven days, they have shown no visible action."
Their four demands include:
- Immediate recruitment — Fill vacant positions and create new posts.
- Institution and curriculum revision — Rename the institution and update the course curriculum.
- Higher education opportunities — Allow higher studies in clinical subjects.
- Independent education board — Establish a separate Medical Education Board of Bangladesh.
