Medical Technologists, Pharmacists Threaten Shutdown if 10th Grade Not Implemented
Medical technologists and pharmacists have announced that if the 10th grade pay scale is not implemented within four days, they will observe a half-day work stoppage on 3 December and begin a complete shutdown from 4 December. Earlier, they had warned that failure to meet the ultimatum would result in a nationwide work abstention at all government, private, and specialized hospitals, diagnostic centers, and healthcare institutions from 30 November, Sunday.
The announcement was made on 25 November, Tuesday, at a press conference organized by the Medical Technologist and Pharmacist 10th Grade Implementation Council at the National Press Club.
Md. Biplobuzzaman Biplob, Coordinator of the Council and Secretary General of the Medical Technologists Association of Bangladesh (M-TAB), stated that the declared programs include public outreach, leaflet distribution, and submission of memorandums at health institutions across the country.
Presenting the written statement, Md. Ripon Shikder, Secretary General of the Anti-Discrimination Medical Technologists and Pharmacists Council, said:
“Healthcare is a team effort. Alongside doctors and nurses, medical technologists and pharmacists play a crucial role in both direct and indirect patient care. The most critical part of treatment is diagnosis—such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, blood tests, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, and dental procedures—where medical technologists contribute extensively. Meanwhile, pharmacists are responsible for medical store management, preparing drug requisitions, storage, quality control, and distribution.”
He added that despite their significant contributions, these professions have long been plagued by various challenges and have not undergone necessary reforms, remaining neglected for years.
He further said the most unfortunate chapter of this profession is the non-implementation of the 10th grade for three decades. Although the profession began even before independence, medical technologists have been presenting the demand for 10th grade to relevant ministries since 1989. Despite numerous movements, formal communication, applications, and fulfillment of all requirements of the public administration rules branch, the lack of goodwill from top authorities and bureaucratic complications have delayed implementation.
Ripon Shikder emphasized that since 1994 till 2025—over 31 years—this community has been struggling for the 10th grade. In 2003, the proposal to upgrade all diploma medical technologists to second-class gazetted status with the 10th grade was placed before the Administrative Development Secretary Committee, but the demand remains unfulfilled.
He noted that following the assumption of office by the interim government, the issue resurfaced. Last year, multiple appeals were submitted to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Ministry of Health. Subsequently, on 1 January, DGHS sent a proposal to the Secretary of the Health Services Division regarding the implementation of the 10th grade.
He further highlighted that diploma engineers, diploma nurses (in 2017), and diploma agriculturists (in 2018) have already been upgraded to second-class status with the 10th grade. “We urge the government to grant the same grade to diploma medical technologists and pharmacists, who hold similar qualifications.”
“We firmly expect the government to end this 31-year discrimination by issuing an official order granting the 10th grade. Otherwise, we will be compelled to announce stricter programs, including work abstention,” he warned.
Among those present at the press conference were Bangladesh Medical Technologists Association (BMTA) President Khaja Mainuddin Monju; Anti-Discrimination Medical Technologists and Pharmacists Council President Abdus Samad; Bangladesh Diploma Pharmacist Association President Gazi Md. Saifullah; M-TAB President AKM Musa Al Liton; Medical Technologist Forum President Md. Sohel Rana; and Diploma Pharmacy Association (Diphub) Member Secretary Md. Nazmul Huda.
DBTech/ MV / Muim / OR
