Doctors and health workers at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) have continued to press their demands for increased security, announcing a new program to ensure the immediate arrest of remaining attackers and the swift enactment of a Health Security Act.
Yesterday afternoon, Dr Md Abdul Ahad, a resident neurologist at DMCH, outlined the new initiative during a press briefing at the hospital's administrative building gate, following a meeting in the DMCH conference room. The program calls for the formulation of a Health Security Act, which would include the appointment of health police to safeguard medical professionals.
As part of the new program, doctors will report to their respective workplaces from 8am to 10am on Tuesday, after which they will provide medical services to outdoor patients until 1pm. Emergency services, which resumed on Sunday evening, will continue without interruption.
However, indoor services and routine work will remain limited until further notice. To ensure patient care, private chambers will continue to provide health services.
The announcement comes after recent incidents of violence against medical staff. Dr Ahad confirmed that one individual involved in the recent attack on doctors at DMCH has been arrested, along with four suspects connected to an attack on Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College the previous day.
Dr Ahad expressed his gratitude for the prompt deployment of security personnel at the emergency departments of DMCH, Mugda Medical College Hospital, and Dhaka Dental College, which allowed the resumption of emergency services at DMCH and other hospitals nationwide since Sunday evening.
Despite these developments, Dr Ahad alleged that the attacks were part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by accomplices of the former fascist government to destabilize the country. He warned that without the rapid deployment of security personnel at other medical colleges and district hospitals, similar incidents could occur again.
Earlier, the protesting health workers had presented three demands, two of which have been partially fulfilled. Their call for one security guard per doctor was met, and several arrests were made. The health workers continue to press for the immediate arrest of all remaining suspects and the establishment of comprehensive health protection laws.
Following a lengthy meeting with Interim Government Health Advisor Nurjahan Begum on Sunday, a temporary compromise was reached, leading to the deployment of security forces at key medical institutions. However, Advisor Nurjahan Begum has not yet specified a timeline for the appointment of health police, citing the ongoing tense situation in the country.
While the demand for health protection laws has gained traction, no formal framework has been presented.
"The health advisor has assured us that a health police will be appointed, though she has not provided a specific date," Dr Ahad said. "Additionally, we have yet to draft a framework for the health protection laws, but we intend to do so soon and will inform the media when it is ready."
