Rajshahi, Mar 12 (V7N) – Patients in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RAMECH) and other healthcare facilities are facing severe difficulties as interns and trainee doctors continue their strike to press for their five-point demands. The strike, which began at 11 AM on Tuesday, has paralyzed medical services across both government and private hospitals in the city.

A visit to RAMECH's outpatient department and wards revealed empty doctor’s chambers and desperate patients searching for medical attention. Nurses, when approached, expressed their helplessness, saying they were unable to provide care beyond their capacity. Many critically ill patients and those who traveled long distances for treatment were left stranded without medical assistance.

Hasina Begum, who traveled from Chuadanga with her daughter Tania, suffering from a heart attack, expressed her frustration:
"I left home at 7 AM and arrived by train at noon, only to be told that no doctors are available. If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have come."

One of the key demands of the protesting doctors is that only MBBS and BDS degree holders should be allowed to use the title "Doctor", and that Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration be exclusively granted to them. Intern doctor representative Dr. Abdullah Sakra stated,
"We were forced to take this action after repeated ultimatums were ignored. If our demands are not met, the strike will continue."

RAMECH spokesperson Dr. Shankar K. Biswas confirmed that only emergency services and newly admitted patients were receiving medical attention. He added that the future of the movement depends on the upcoming High Court ruling, expected on Wednesday.

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