Physicians postpones 'complete shutdown' for 24 hrs

The protesting doctors have postponed the programme of complete shutdown of hospitals for 24 hours.

They made the announcement after getting the assurance of arresting the attackers within 24 hours.

After the meeting with Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum on Sunday, Abdul Ahad, the doctor of neurosurgery ward of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), announced the postponement.

He said, “Although the strike has been postponed, only medical services will continue in the emergency department. Outpatient and routine services will remain closed. It will continue like this for the next seven days.”

If the culprits are not arrested and the safety of doctors at work is not ensured, the fresh programme will be enforced again.

Meanwhile, two platoons of BGB personnel have been deployed at DMCH for the security of physicians, nurses and staffs.

There was a melee at DMCH on Saturday due to the alleged negligence of the death of a student injured in a road accident. At that time, a doctor was beaten up.

Following the incident, all government and private doctors of the country announced an indefinite strike at hospitals demanding the arrest of the culprits involved in the incident.