Patients are suffering as medical services at all government and private hospitals in Khulna district have been hampered since Wednesday morning in a 24-hour work abstention enforced by doctors.
The doctors at outpatient departments of government hospitals and at private hospitals went on work abstention at 6am on Wednesday and will continue till 6am on Thursday to protest the attack on a fellow physician.
Physicians stopped seeing patients in government hospitals and private hospitals in the morning.
Dhaka TribunePatients at Khulna Medical College Hospital were also unable to see any doctors.
Though it was said that emergency doctors will be available, only nurses are providing necessary services in the wards.
The nurses said that no doctor will come.
Solaiman Hossain of Koyra, son of a patient admitted at Khulna Medical College Hospital, said that his mother was injured as a tree fell on her. After that, they are in this hospital for the last seven days. There has not been much improvement in his mother's condition yet.
“On Wednesday morning, her condition deteriorated but I did not get to see a doctor. The nurses said that the doctor concerned will not come in for two/three days.”
Mahbubur Rahman of Satkhira said his wife is a cancer patient. “I have been coming to the hospital for the last three days for treatment. Tests are done. It was scheduled that the doctor will see the reports and there will be chemotherapy. But there is no doctor.”
Sadeep of Bagerhat said his grandfather Tapas was admitted to the hospital with kidney problems and died at noon.
On February 25, Dr Sheikh Nishat Abdullah, head of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department at Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialized Hospital, was physically assaulted, allegedly by a patient's relatives including Assistant Sub-inspector Naim posted in Satkhira district police, at a nursing home in Sheikhpara of Khulna city during surgery.
Protesting the attack, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), Khulna decided to observe a 24-hour work abstention.
Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam, president of BMA's Khulna unit, announced the work abstention while speaking at a press briefing at Kazi Azharul Haque Auditorium on Tuesday.
While reading out the statement, Dr Baharul also demanded the arrest of the attackers.
