A patient's death due to alleged medical negligence led to an assault on doctors by the deceased's relatives, prompting all hospital departments to be shut down by striking doctors at Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital on Wednesday.
Later, a team from the army visited and reopened the emergency department, but other departments remained closed.
At around 1:30am, a young man named Aziz, admitted to the hospital ICU, died allegedly due to medical negligence.
His relatives claimed that his death occurred immediately after he was administered a painkiller injection.
Enraged by the alleged negligence, the relatives attacked Dr Kazi Sajib, a physician at the hospital. This led to the hospital authorities halting all medical services.
They warned that unless the attackers are arrested within 24 hours, all medical and non-medical staff will not resume work.
Doctors said that following the assault and humiliation of a doctor, a group of agitated intern doctors halted normal services at the hospital.
They said if the issue is not resolved, no medical services will be provided to inpatients. They even forcibly stopped medical activities in the wards.
Although the emergency department was operational, it was also closed for a period around 11:30am as the hospital staff continued their protest.
Ward Master Nurul Huda said: “If security is not ensured, no staff will return to work. Security must be guaranteed within the next 24 hours. Doctors and staff are being attacked frequently, and everyone is feeling insecure. Ensure security, then we will provide services.”
Shovon Das, a leader of the ward staff, said: “We haven’t received any salary for the past three months. Despite that, we have ensured services. But now we are being attacked. How can we work if there is no security?”
Dr GRM Jihadul Islam, residential medical officer (Administration) of Cox’s Bazar Medical College, said: “Discussions are ongoing with doctors, nurses, and leaders of the student movement against discrimination to resolve the issue. If no decision is reached, the hospital staff may go on an indefinite strike.”
