Doctors across Bangladesh initiated an indefinite nationwide strike on Sunday, causing significant disruption to the country’s healthcare system and leaving many patients in urgent need of medical care.
The strike was sparked by an incident on Saturday night at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), the largest hospital in Bangladesh. The emergency department was vandalized by the relatives and friends of a student protester who had been injured during recent demonstrations that led to the fall of the Hasina regime. The student later died from his injuries, prompting accusations of medical negligence against the attending doctors.
In response to the attack and to demand justice and better security, doctors at DMCH halted emergency services on Sunday morning. Despite efforts by hospital authorities to negotiate, the situation escalated into a nationwide strike.
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On Sunday afternoon, Dr. Abdul Ahad from DMCH’s Neurosurgery Ward announced the strike and presented four key demands: the arrest of those responsible for the assault on doctors, the establishment of a safer working environment, restrictions on unauthorized access to hospital premises, and the resolution of any claims of medical negligence through appropriate channels, rather than violence.
The doctors have declared that the strike will continue until their demands are met.
The strike has left many patients without essential care. Nayan Mia, who brought his injured brother to DMCH on Sunday morning, was turned away and told to seek treatment elsewhere. “If I can’t get healthcare here, where else can I go? I can’t afford treatment at private clinics,” Mia told Anadolu, highlighting the desperate situation many are facing due to the strike.
The protesting doctors have warned that any deaths resulting from the lack of treatment during the strike should be blamed on the administration’s failure to address their concerns.
