6-member probe committee formed over clash between Dhaka Medical doctors, DU students

A six-member investigation committee has been formed following a clash between students of Dhaka University and doctors and Ansar personnel at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday (8 April), leaving several people injured and forcing the suspension of emergency medical services.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within 48 hours, resident surgeon of the Neurosurgery Department at DMCH, Dr Ashik Ahsan, confirmed to The Business Standard.

Ashik said the six-member committee, headed by Professor Dr Nadim Ahmed, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at DU, includes two doctors from DMCH, two proctors from DU, and the deputy commissioner of Ramna Police Station.

If the report finds any criminal offence, action will be taken accordingly, Ashik said.

He further said that during the meeting, intern doctors raised four demands regarding workplace safety, which were also discussed and will be taken into consideration.

Following the clash between DU students and intern doctors of DMCH, authorities from both institutions held a meeting around 8pm, Ashik said.

The director general of the Directorate General of Health Services and two additional director generals were present at the meeting, where the probe committee was formed, he added.

The incident occurred around 5:30pm, according to DU student and eyewitness Faisal Ahmed Imon.

Imon alleged that his classmate, Mahadi Hasan Sanim, had felt unwell after an exam earlier in the day and went to DMCH for treatment.

“After initially consulting a doctor and receiving a prescription, he was unable to find the prescribed medicine at nearby pharmacies. When he returned to request a change in medication, an argument broke out, which allegedly led to doctors assaulting him,” he said.

He further claimed that when other students arrived after hearing about the incident, they too were attacked by doctors and Ansar personnel.

Following the clash, DU students took position in front of the hospital’s emergency department, while intern doctors remained inside.