Doctors in Bangladesh begin indefinite strike, crippling healthcare services

Published September 1, 2024
Patients lie on beds in a hospital in Bangladesh on September 1. — Anadolu
Patients lie on beds in a hospital in Bangladesh on September 1. — Anadolu

Doctors across Bangladesh launched an indefinite nationwide strike on Sunday, severely disrupting the country’s healthcare system and leaving patients in distress.

The strike was triggered by an incident on Saturday night at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), the largest healthcare facility in Bangladesh, where the emergency department was vandalized by relatives and friends of a student protester who had been injured during recent demonstrations that led to the ousting of the Hasina regime.

The injured student later succumbed to his injuries, with some of his peers accusing the attending physicians of neglect.

In response to the attack and to demand justice and improved safety measures, doctors at DMCH suspended emergency medical services Sunday morning. Attempts by hospital authorities to negotiate with the doctors were unsuccessful, leading to the escalation of the protest into a nationwide strike.

On Sunday afternoon, Dr Abdul Ahad from DMCH’s Neurosurgery Ward announced the strike, outlining four key demands: the arrest of those responsible for the assault on doctors, the establishment of a safer working environment, restrictions on unauthorized access to hospital premises, and the resolution of any alleged negligence by doctors through proper channels, rather than through violence.

The striking doctors have vowed to continue the shutdown until their demands are met.

The strike has left many patients without care. Nayan Mia, who brought his injured brother to DMCH on Sunday morning, was told to seek treatment elsewhere. “If I can’t get healthcare here, where else can I go? I can’t afford treatment at private clinics,” Mia told Anadolu, expressing the dire situation faced by many in the wake of the strike.

The protesting doctors have stated that any deaths resulting from the lack of treatment during the shutdown should be attributed to the administration’s failure to address their concerns.

Opinion

Editorial

State Bank’s caution
Updated 12 Mar, 2025

State Bank’s caution

Easing monetary policy will be difficult for SBP without large, sustainable foreign capital inflows and structural tax reforms.
Syria massacre
12 Mar, 2025

Syria massacre

THERE were valid fears of sectarian and religious bloodshed when anti-Assad militants triumphantly marched into...
Too little, too late
12 Mar, 2025

Too little, too late

WHEN desperation reaches a point that a father has to end his life to save his daughter’s, the state has failed ...
Maulana’s message
Updated 11 Mar, 2025

Maulana’s message

The problem now is that most jihadi fighters, ideologues refuse to end their "struggle" on advice of state or mainstream clerics.
President’s speech
11 Mar, 2025

President’s speech

PRESIDENT Asif Zardari, addressing Monday’s joint session of parliament to mark the start of a new parliamentary...
Indian takeover
11 Mar, 2025

Indian takeover

BY the time the Champions Trophy final ended, the only indicators that the tournament had been hosted by Pakistan...