Dr HM Saiful Islam, the director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Barisal, was forced to resign following a protest by intern doctors over a four-point demand.
He announced his resignation and signed the resignation letter in his office on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Barisal unit of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) held a human chain and rally at the SBMCH campus in support of the protesting doctors.
The intern doctors and students postponed their strike from Sunday afternoon, giving a seven-day ultimatum for their other demands to be met, following the resignation of the hospital director.
Dr Saiful Islam submitted his resignation in the presence of Barisal Divisional Commissioner Showkat Ali, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Delwar Hossain, and senior officials from the army, RAB, police, and Ansar.
In his resignation letter, Dr Saiful Islam mentioned: "I have voluntarily and knowingly stepped down from my responsibilities due to my inability to manage Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. I request the higher authorities to take immediate steps to relieve me of my duties."
The resigned director left the hospital under tight security and expressed his feelings, saying: "I have passion and love for this institution, but I will no longer hold the position of director."
Earlier in the day, at around 10am, intern doctors and students formed a human chain in front of the hospital and surrounded the director's office, demanding his resignation.
In response, additional law enforcement personnel were deployed, and a meeting was held with the divisional commissioner and army officers.
The interns and students accused Dr Saiful Islam of supporting the dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina, citing a rally held in her favour on August 3.
They also alleged various instances of corruption and irregularities during his tenure, including monopolizing medical tenders, embezzling funds, and harassing honest officials and employees.
The protesters claimed that Dr Saiful Islam had turned the hospital's healthcare system into a commercial venture rife with corruption.
Many officials and employees also reportedly joined the movement alongside the students and interns.
On Saturday, the interns went on strike in protest against an attack on them by the relatives of a deceased patient, causing severe disruption to hospital services. However, emergency departments remained operational despite the strike.
Directors at SBMCH typically serve two-year terms, but Dr Saiful Islam has been in his position for three years. During his tenure, he faced numerous accusations of irregularities and corruption, allegedly in collusion with high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Health under the previous government. Despite media reports highlighting these issues, no action was taken against him.
Even after the fall of the previous government, Dr Saiful Islam reportedly maintained his position by currying favour with controversial political leaders.
Zahid Hossain, a student at SBMCH, said: "Dr HM Saiful Islam was unfit for his post and was involved in various irregularities and corruption, which is why he was forced to resign."
The protesting interns and students have demanded that a brigadier general from the army be appointed as the new director of the hospital.
