Doctors declare countrywide hospital 'complete shutdown'

Doctors across the country have called for a "complete shutdown" to protest an incident of assault and vandalism at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). 

DMCH Neuro Surgery Department Resident Surgeon Abdul Ahad gave the announcement on behalf of DMCH doctors. 

On Saturday, three doctors of the Neuro Surgery Department were assaulted. Doctors have called for the identification and punishment of the ones responsible for the altercation. 

Dr Abdul Ahad said, "We returned to work at 11pm (Saturday) at the request of the hospital's director. We gave emergency services till 8am (Sunday)... However, we did not see any security forces. Security forces should've been in front of the emergency complex, but we did not see any. So for our own safety, we are forced to go on a countrywide strike today."

Doctors placed a two-point demand to capture and punish the ones responsible for the assault and vandalism, as well as posting security forces at hospitals for the safety of all doctors and patients. However, as they received no assurances for meeting the demands, they decided to move forward with the shutdown programme.