RMCH interns begin strike over five demands

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Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) began a 24-hour work stoppage on Wednesday (October 21), demanding a solution to shortages of medical supplies and improved workplace security, among five demands.

The strike began at 8AM, with reports of disruption to hospital services and suffering among patients and their relatives who had travelled from distant areas for treatment.

The protesting doctors said inpatient wards were facing acute shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. They also alleged that unrestricted entry by patients’ attendants and negligence by Ansar personnel on duty exposed them to threats and other unwanted incidents.

They further said the non-functioning observation room and casualty department had increased pressure on inpatient wards, making it difficult to provide treatment with limited staff and inadequate equipment.

The interns said they had decided to stop work after repeated assurances from hospital authorities failed to bring effective measures to address their concerns.

Dr SM Tupu, president of the Intern Doctors Society, said details of their demands would be disclosed at a press conference after 11AM.

However, hospital authorities said permanent doctors were doing their best to manage the situation and claimed that patient care had continued despite the interns’ work stoppage.