Khulna, Sep 04 (V7N) — The medical services at Khulna Medical College (Khumek) Hospital have deteriorated significantly, leading to severe disruptions in patient care. The situation has been exacerbated by the resignation of the hospital's deputy director, Md. Aktaruzzaman, and the absence of 41 doctors. The hospital director, Gautam Kumar Pal, is reportedly avoiding contact out of fear.

Today, Wednesday (September 4), numerous doctors from various departments are absent, leaving patients, some of whom have traveled long distances, without the necessary medical attention. The absence of key personnel, including Dr. Pritam Chakraborty, Dr. Himel Saha, Dr. Aniruddha Sardar, Dr. Sheikh Tasnuva Alam, and others, has paralyzed the hospital's operations. Officials attribute this absence to security concerns.

Patients like Kulsum Begum from Bagerhat, who came for breast tumor treatment, and Delwar Hossain and his son Fahim from Rupsa, are among those affected, returning without receiving care. Attempts to contact Khumek’s director, deputy director, and other officials for comment have been unsuccessful, and calls to their mobile phones have gone unanswered.

Khulna Divisional Health Director Dr. Manjurul Murshid stated that while the hospital is not directly under his jurisdiction, he has discussed the situation with the Divisional Commissioner and informed higher authorities.

The crisis followed the resignation of deputy director Md. Aktaruzzaman under pressure from a faction of Khulna Medical College students. On September 3, students protested against 41 doctors allegedly involved in Awami League politics. In response, Aktaruzzaman signed documents related to the protest under duress and resigned.

Aktaruzzaman has claimed that he has never been involved with Awami League politics and has been subjected to punitive transfers by the government. He expressed his frustration, stating that despite his efforts to support the hospital, he felt compelled to resign.

Tahmeed Mashroor, Member Secretary of the Khulna Medical College Intern Physician Forum, noted that there is no record of intern doctors being aware of any direct link between the students’ actions and Aktaruzzaman’s resignation.

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