Doctors Go On Strike Across Bangladesh

All outpatient departments and private chambers of doctors across the country will remain closed today, as they are pressing for five-point demands.

The strike began at 9am on Tuesday (March 11) and will continue until further notice.

During this period, academic shutdowns will remain in effect at hospitals and medical colleges, the National Steering Committee said on Monday (March 10).

The doctors and medical students said in an announcement that they are eager to meet with the chief adviser as soon as possible.

“If we don’t receive justice in this farcical case, the medical community will be compelled to launch strong protests and implement strict action, and the government will be held responsible for any failures,” they said.

Interns, mid-level doctors (such as CAs, registrars, private FCPS trainee residents, and non-resident doctors), and all other doctors in the hospital, including professors, will go on strike. Outdoor services will be closed, and all private chambers of the doctors will be shut down, the announcement said.

A special programme has also been scheduled for March 12, where every medical professional will join the “Dhaka Chol” grand rally together.

The five points are-

* Only those with an MBBS/BDS degree are allowed to use the title ‘Doctor’ before their name. Any ongoing lawsuits related to this matter and any public health-related writs must be resolved by March 12. Besides, the use of any misleading title such as ‘Diploma Doctor’ in Bangladesh should be prohibited, as it does not exist in the World Health Organization or anywhere else globally.

* A notification must be issued stating that no one except registered doctors (MBBS/BDS) can independently practice privately.

* A Medical Assistant Course Curriculum Reform Committee must be formed within the next seven working days to review and revise the course curriculum. A special campaign should also be launched to close all substandard MATs (Medical Assistant Training Schools).

* To ensure public healthcare, a sufficient number of doctors must be appointed to vacant positions, and the age limit for doctors in the BCS exam should be raised to 34 years.

* The Doctor Protection Law must be enacted without delay, and a specific pay scale should be established for private doctors.