Khulna Medical College Intern Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Five-Point Demand

Dr. Arafat Hossain, President of the Intern Doctors Association (IDA) at Khulna Medical College Hospital, said, Sheikh Hasina government has started giving registration to MATS from BMDC which was completely illegal and suicidal. We intern doctors have presented 5 demands to bring about a revolution in the health sector. We will observe an indefinite work stoppage until our demands are met.

Our five demands:- MATS

1. No one can write doctors except MBBS and BDS" The writ filed by BMDC against the said law should be withdrawn within 72 hours and BMDC registration should be given only to MBBS and BDS degree holders.  In 2010, the Hasina government started registering MATS from BMDC, these MATS should be immediately stopped from being registered from BMDC.

2. The OTC drug list should be updated in line with the medical system of the developed world. No one other than MBBS and BDS will be able to prescribe drugs outside the OTC drug list. Pharmacies will not be able to sell any medicine outside the OTC list without a prescription from a registered doctor.

3. To resolve the crisis of doctors in the health sector:

a. All vacant posts should be filled by appointing 10,000 doctors quickly. A separate health commission should be formed and appointments should be made in the seventh grade as before.

b. The balance of the health sector should be maintained by appointing 4,000-5,000 doctors every year.

c. The age limit for doctors should be increased to 34 years.

4. All Medical Assistant Training Schools (MATS) and defunct government and private medical colleges should be closed.  Arrangements should be made to appoint SSC (MATS) students who have already passed SSC as medical assistants by abolishing the title of SACMO.

5. The Doctors Protection Act should be implemented.

The intern doctors said that despite the peaceful movement in various medical colleges of the country on these 5-point demands, the authorities are silent. They are not showing any signs of fulfilling our demands. We are angry at their indifference. We think that they are not giving importance to our demands. Therefore, in solidarity with all other medical colleges of the country, the intern doctors of Khulna Medical College Hospital are announcing an indefinite strike from 8 am on February 23 until their demands are met.

Assistant Director of Khulna Medical College Hospital Dr. Mizanur Rahman said that the intern doctors are observing a strike on a national issue. Their demand is justified. However, the strike should not cause any harm to the patients.  To ensure that every patient receives proper treatment, we have instructed mid-level doctors such as Assistant Registrars, Honorary Medical Officers and Medical Officers to be more active and perform their duties around the clock so that no patient faces any problem.