Dhaka, Dec 22 (V7N) — Trainee doctors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) have temporarily withdrawn their sit-in protest at Shahbagh after assurances from the vice-chancellor. However, they announced that their ongoing strike will continue until their demands for increased allowances are met.

The president of the Doctors' Movement for Justice Society (DMJS), Dr. Jabir Hossain, stated that the blockade was lifted after discussions with the BSMMU vice-chancellor and a meeting at the Health Ministry. "We have given an ultimatum to issue the allowance increase notification by 5 pm on Thursday. If not, we will resume street protests," Dr. Jabir said.

The trainee doctors have been demanding allowance increments since 2022. They insist the increase should equate their facilities to the ninth grade of the government pay scale, effective from January 2025.

Nearly 13,000 postgraduate private trainee doctors across the country are participating in the strike, which escalated on Sunday when they blocked Shahbagh roads from 1:30 pm. Despite assurances, the doctors continue to press for formal notification.

Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, joined the sit-in to show solidarity. He warned that failure to issue the notification by Thursday would prompt larger protests.

The doctors’ protests have been ongoing since June 2023, with multiple demonstrations at BSMMU, Shahbagh, and the Central Shaheed Minar. Earlier this year, they organized mass hunger strikes to demand action on their allowances.

As of now, the strike continues, and the trainee doctors have reiterated their resolve to intensify their protests if their demands are not met by the deadline.

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