Interns in Nilphamari go on work abstention over assault on doctor, ambulance driver jailed
Photo: Collected
Police have arrested an ambulance driver named Naim Islam, 25, on charges of harassing and beating a doctor. The incident took place at Nilphamari 250-bed General Hospital. In protest, doctors, officials and staff of the hospital brought out a procession and formed a human chain on Monday.
Intern doctors are now observing a work abstention. They have also demanded the enactment of a health protection law to guarantee the safety of doctors.
According to hospital sources, the incident took place in the hospital’s radiology and imaging department on Sunday afternoon. Dr Rathindranath Mondal, an assistant professor of the department, teaches at Nilphamari Medical College and is also working in this department of the General Hospital as an additional responsibility.
According to the authorities, the accused driver was detained immediately after the incident and handed over to police. Later, when the hospital authorities filed a case, he was shown arrested in that case. He was then sent to jail through the court.
Doctors and hospital officials and staff took part in the procession, which began from the hospital premises around 11am on Monday. After parading different streets of the town, the procession ended at Chowrangi intersection, where the human chain and a protest rally were held.
The programme was organised by Nilphamari Medical College and General Hospital. The Intern Doctors’ Forum and the Nilphamari district unit of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) expressed solidarity with it.
The hour-long human chain and rally was presided over by Nilphamari Medical College Principal Prof Dr Zimma Hossain. Among the speakers were Associate Professor Dr Shah Md Moazzem Hossain, two assistant professors, Dr Abdul Matin and Dr Hasina Banu, and DAB Nilphamari district unit convener Dr Md Sohelur Rahman Sohel.
Nilphamari 250-bed General Hospital superintendent Abdullah Hel Mafi said only the intern doctors are observing the work abstention so that treatment of patients coming to the hospital is not disrupted.
Nilphamari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zillur Rahman said a young man was initially detained on charges of beating the doctor. After a case was filed, he was arrested and sent to jail through the court.
Doctors, officials and staff of the hospital and students of the medical college are angered by the attack. They have demanded guaranteed safety for doctors at the workplace and exemplary punishment for the attack.
