The freshers who enrolled for medical studies this year took part in orientation programs at all medical colleges across Bangladesh, except at Dhaka Medical College (DMC).
DMC is considered the country’s most prized medical institution and a dream for students pursuing their MBBS, but this year the freshers boycotted the orientation in protest against the ramshackle condition of the hostels they might have to live in.
The fresher batch did this to express solidarity with their senior batches, who have been boycotting all classes and examinations since May 28, demanding alternative accommodation and renovation of dormitories and academic buildings.
Students on the 3rd floor of Fazle Rabbi Hostel at DMC are in a hazardous situation, as chunks of plaster weighing several kilograms fall randomly in various spots, and iron rods stick out, making the place unfit for habitation.
Due to the lack of alternative accommodation, it is not possible to relocate students elsewhere.
The freshers batch of Dhaka Medical College, named K-82 batch, boycotted their orientation program mainly due to accommodation problems, while their batchmates in other medical colleges attended theirs.
When contacted, the Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital told Dhaka Tribune that he is not in charge of the hostel situation and suggested contacting the Principal of DMC.
The Principal of DMC, Dr Kamrul Alam, refused to give any comments to Dhaka Tribune on the matter.
Why the freshers didn’t attend the orientation program
When asked why this batch boycotted the orientation program, a DMC fresher from the K-82 batch, Md. Hozaifa Islam, told Dhaka Tribune that the orientation at a medical college—for a medical student—is about fulfilling a childhood dream.
“Since we got the opportunity to study at the best medical college in Dhaka—actually the best in the country—we expected our medical college to provide us with some extra facilities,” he added.
He expressed frustration, stating that in their case, it is completely the opposite, as the hostel conditions are terrible and the classroom situation is even worse.
A student from DMC's K-79 batch, Abdullah Al Noman, told Dhaka Tribune that classes are currently suspended, and class boycotts are ongoing, with all internal exams and academic activities put on hold.
“All the exams we had scheduled, all our internal exams—we’ve cancelled them all,” he said.
He further stated that the core problem is that the administration’s hands are tied to some extent, and they are also showing helplessness in taking any steps.
“So, our movement’s roadmap is that we’ll get alternative accommodation, and along with that, the budget for new construction will be passed or at least show visible progress,” he added.
As senior batches had already boycotted classes at DMC, the most junior batch also showed solidarity with them, voting to boycott the orientation, with 92% of the freshers agreeing.
“The decision from our batch is that we boycott the orientation so that the government and administration understand that our medical college really needs development,” Hozaifa told Dhaka Tribune.
He further said that the college administration has arranged one room where 100 students will stay together.
“This is supposed to be Bangladesh’s top medical college. But what arrangement is being made for us? One fan for three beds, 100 people in one room where there’s barely space to walk properly—this is what they’re offering,” he said.
Wahid Kabir, a K-81 student, told Dhaka Tribune that they don’t know where the authorities will keep their juniors, when the current students are already living at serious risk to their lives.
The hazardous situation at Fazle Rabbi Hostel of DMC
Fazle Rabbi Hostel is the dormitory for male students of DMC. The hostel consists of three buildings: the main building, the new building, and the intern building. The new building is comparatively better for living than the other two.
The main building has four blocks, with 36 rooms on each floor. Each floor houses approximately 180 students.
On the 3rd floor of the main building of Fazle Rabbi Hall, the situation is dire, as plaster from the washroom and toilet ceilings frequently falls, creating a hazardous environment.
Most of the windows have broken glass, and in one earlier incident, a student was injured when an entire window grill collapsed onto his legs during a storm.
Several rooms on the 3rd floor are in a highly dangerous state. In Room No. 335, plaster fell on Tuesday night, and the chunks were still lying on students’ tables the next morning.
Zawad Mubashshir, a resident of Room No. 335, told Dhaka Tribune that they are afraid to use the washrooms and that the water filters don’t work either.
Most of the rooms on that floor are in similar condition, though some were plastered around six months ago to stop ceiling plaster from falling.
“We often wake up with fallen chunks of plaster beside us,” said Mahadi Hasan Siam, a K-81 student of DMC.
“This is our normal situation, and if an earthquake happens, no one knows what’ll happen,” he added.
DMC students’ statement
The students of Dhaka Medical College published a statement on June 6 regarding life hazards in their dormitories. In the statement, they said that the Fazle Rabbi Hostel, along with several other buildings such as the Girls’ Hostel and academic buildings, have now turned into death traps.
“Despite the PWD declaring the Fazle Rabbi Hostel unfit for habitation and abandoning it seven months ago, every student is still living here, risking their lives daily. The situation is so critical that a repeat of the Rana Plaza or Jagannath Hall tragedy wouldn’t be surprising—which would be a shameful incident for the country’s healthcare system,” read the statement.
The students expressed concern that the administration keeps giving them false hopes about taking action. They put forward a set of demands to the DMC administration, including: immediate approval of a budget for the boys’ and girls’ hostels; arrangement of alternative accommodation until new hostels are built; separate budgets for both temporary and permanent housing; and immediate visible action.
They also demanded that the dangerous parts of the old academic buildings be declared abandoned, that classes be shifted elsewhere, and that a new building budget be passed. Additionally, they called for the appointment of student representatives to monitor progress and ensure transparency, with necessary measures taken without delay.
The students declared the DMC campus closed indefinitely, saying they would not attend any classes, ward duties, or internal examinations until their demands are met.
They also urged the Health Adviser to visit the campus and see the situation for himself before making any decisions.
“Otherwise, all Dhaka Medical College students will be forced to take to the streets again for their survival—and they won’t be able to serve the country anymore,” read their written statement.
