Doctors call off strike

 
Doctors have announced the resumption of full service in all hospitals Bangladesh-wide, taking the government's visible steps and current circumstances into consideration. Abdul Ahad, the resident surgeon of the neurosurgery department, made the announcement on behalf of the protesting physicians at a media briefing outside the administrative building of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, or DMCH, on Tuesday, bdnews24 reports. He said, "All hospitals across the country will be fully operational, as before, from now on."

Doctors in training at Dhaka Medical College Hospital effected a work stoppage after being attacked and beaten three times on Saturday night.
Other doctors also joined the protest, halting services at all departments of the hospital since Sunday morning. The doctors joined the strike at all government hospitals afterwards.

In the written statement of the briefing, Ahad said a four-strong delegation from all levels of physicians and students met the health secretary at 5pm on Tuesday and discussed the pre-planned four-point list of demand in detail.

Several steps have already been taken in response to the first two requests. Some of the attackers have been arrested and law enforcers have been deployed at various hospitals, including DMCH.

Constructive discussions were held about the prompt deployment of security forces in other hospitals, including ones at district and Upazila levels. The health secretary promised immediate steps, the statement read.

Ahad said, "We expect these demands will be implemented soon and the healthcare environment will be safer. The third and fourth demands, the formation of a health police unit and the enactment of the 'Health Protection Act' were discussed significantly. The health secretary pledged that effective steps will be taken to implement the demands.

"A committee will be formed in this respect involving a delegation of striking doctors. In addition, various anomalies in the healthcare sector, such as cadre disparities and referral systems, were discussed."

He said, "The health advisor of the interim government is considering the demands pressed by the doctors. According to the secretary, the health ministry sought three to four more weeks to work on the previous draft of the 'Health Protection Act'. During this period, they will discuss the inconsistencies in the draft and publish another draft on the website.

"The doctors will hold a discussion and present their reviews on any amendments to the draft. Then the health ministry will forward the modified and refined 'Health Protection Act' for passage."