Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital launched a 24-hour work stoppage at 8am on Wednesday, pressing for a five-point set of demands, including addressing shortages of medical supplies and improving security.
The work stoppage has disrupted medical services at the hospital, causing hardship for patients, many of whom have travelled from distant areas, and their relatives.
The protesting doctors said essential medicines and medical supplies were in short supply in the hospital’s inpatient wards. They also complained of difficulties caused by the unrestricted entry of patients’ relatives into the wards and alleged negligence by Ansar personnel responsible for security. They further claimed to have faced organized threats.
The interns said the hospital’s observation room and casualty department were currently non-functional, increasing the pressure on inpatient wards. They said limited staffing and inadequate medical supplies had made it difficult to provide proper care.
According to the protesters, the hospital administration had repeatedly assured them that the problems would be addressed but had taken no effective steps. They said the work stoppage was a last resort.
Dr S M Tapu, president of the Intern Doctors’ Society at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, said a press conference would be held on Wednesday afternoon to outline the demands, explain the situation and announce their next course of action.
