Doctors Strike in Bangladesh Over Assaults: Nationwide Shutdown Announced

Doctors in Bangladesh declared a nationwide strike to protest assaults on medical professionals after the death of a student at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. They demand legal action against assaulters and workplace safety. The strike includes both public and private hospitals starting September 1.

Doctors in Bangladesh have announced a nationwide strike at public and private hospitals to protest the violent assault on medical professionals following the death of a student at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) last night.

The doctors have demanded immediate legal and punitive actions against those responsible for the assault while calling for comprehensive safety measures at their workplaces as a condition precedent for resuming services.

The strike, commencing September 1, comes with a four-point charter, which includes the arrest of individuals involved in the Saturday night incident at DMCH. The protesting doctors stated that nurses have also shown solidarity by refusing to work, and added that the administration will be held accountable for any fatalities resulting from the lack of treatment during the strike period.

The doctors' demands include the deployment of armed "health police" at all healthcare facilities nationwide. They emphasized that any observed negligence in patient care should be addressed through formal complaints to the relevant authorities and not through individual actions.

This protest follows earlier significant quota reform demonstrations that resulted in the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

(With inputs from agencies.)