Patients suffer as doctors begin work abstention at DMCH

Patients at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) are suffering as doctors and staff went on work abstention, suspending medical services across different units, including the emergency and outpatient departments.

The work stoppage follows an incident on Saturday where a doctor was allegedly assaulted at DMCH. In response, doctors and students issued a 24-hour ultimatum, threatening to completely shut down the hospital if those responsible for the attack are not identified and punished.

However, the doctors and staff began their work abstention before the 24-hour ultimatum they issued on Saturday night had expired.

The doctors began their duties this morning but they gradually departed the hospital as the day progressed.

Witnesses said by 9:30 am, medical officers at the emergency department had closed their rooms and the emergency ticket counter was also shut down.

Outdoor patients were seen gathering in front of Dhaka Medical College, but with no doctors available, most of them left the premises to seek treatment at other hospitals.

Inspector Md Bachchu Miah, in-charge of the police camp at DMCH, said that the medical services in the emergency and other departments were suspended from 9:00 am on Sunday, causing immense suffering to patients in need of urgent care.