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Rajshahi Medical interns begin 24-hour work stoppage
Published : Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Observer Online Report
Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital began a 24-hour work stoppage on Wednesday, demanding the resolution of shortages of medical equipment and emergency medicines, improved security and action on three other demands.
The programme began at 8:00 AM, disrupting medical services and causing difficulties for patients who had travelled from distant areas for treatment.
The protesting doctors alleged that the 1,300-bed hospital treats around 5,000 inpatients daily, but shortages in supplies leave many without essential medicines, saline and medical equipment. They said shortages of cannulas, injections and other emergency supplies were making it difficult to provide proper treatment and exposing doctors to anger from patients and their relatives.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the hospital’s Intern Doctors Society general secretary, Dr Mushfiqur Rahman, said the lack of essential equipment could delay urgent treatment.
He cited cases in which newborns or young children experiencing seizures might need immediate injections. Without the necessary equipment, doctors may be unable to provide treatment promptly, leading to misunderstandings and tense situations with patients’ relatives.
The society’s president, Dr Shahadat Mahmud, said the hospital’s supplies were allocated based on its designated capacity of 1,300 beds, despite around 5,000 patients being admitted daily.
He said the resulting shortages of medicines and equipment made it difficult to treat the additional patients.
Dr Shahadat said the interns did not want disputes with patients and their relatives, but shortages often left doctors facing their frustration.
He added that interns worked around 16 hours a day and received a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000, but the stoppage was not intended to demand higher allowances.
Instead, he said, the doctors were seeking adequate medical supplies to ensure proper treatment and a safer working environment.
The society called on the government and hospital authorities to ensure sufficient emergency medicines and basic medical supplies for the hospital’s daily patient load.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
