Patients suffer at Rajshahi Medical as intern strike enters second day

Patients at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) are facing increased suffering as the work abstention by intern doctors entered its second day today (22 October), with the doctors pressing five demands, including adequate supplies of medicines and medical equipment.

Patients and their relatives said doctors’ attendance had already declined due to the Puja holidays, while the ongoing work abstention had further worsened the situation, leaving hardly any doctors available in the wards.

Several patients complained today that they had been unable to find doctors in the wards since yesterday afternoon. They said nurses were providing what care they could but could not say when doctors would arrive.

Patients also alleged that they had to buy medicines and medical supplies from outside the hospital. Poor cleanliness had caused foul odours in several wards, further worsening conditions for admitted patients. Some patients also alleged that nurses were advising them to seek treatment at private clinics and hospitals.

However, hospital spokesperson Dr Sheikh Shamim Ahmed said the authorities had cancelled the leave of many mid-level and senior doctors following the work abstention. The doctors were coming to the hospital to provide treatment, he added.

The indefinite work abstention began at 8am yesterday (21 October), with intern doctors pressing five demands, including adequate supplies of medicines and medical equipment.

The intern doctors had yet to call off their work abstention. They were holding a meeting with the hospital director and other officials to discuss the issue.