RMC hospital hit by intern doctors’ strike

Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital have begun a work strike from Sunday morning, as part of a nationwide protest demanding the fulfilment of a six-point charter of demands and opposing alleged discrimination and administrative decisions by authorities.

The work abstention started from the morning hours following a central directive issued by the Bangladesh Combined Intern Doctors’ Unity Council. The announcement also includes a broader programme involving class boycotts by medical students and a call for participation from mid-level doctors in the ongoing movement.

According to the organisation’s statement issued on June 4, the protest was launched in response to a recent notification from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with what they described as continued irregularities and unequal treatment of doctors. The interns claimed that although authorities had earlier assured progress on one of their six demands, no visible steps have been taken on the remaining issues, prompting widespread dissatisfaction.

As part of the programme, intern doctors across the country have suspended duties until further notice, while medical students from first to fifth year have been instructed to boycott classes after 11:00AM daily.

RMC intern representative Dr Tanvir Ahmed Toukir said the strike is being observed in line with the central programme.

RMC Hospital spokesperson Shankar K. Biswas confirmed that 262 intern doctors are currently working at the hospital, all of whom joined the work abstention from Sunday morning.

TZ