Deadline Demand: Intern Doctors Issue 48-Hour Ultimatum Over Dhaka Medical Attack
The Intern Doctors Society has issued a fresh 48-hour ultimatum demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible for the attack on physicians at Dhaka Medical College (DMC) Hospital. The intern doctors warned of stricter protest programs if their four-point demands, announced following the incident, are not implemented.
The announcement was made during a press briefing held in front of the administrative block of Dhaka Medical College Hospital after a protest demonstration at around 2:30 pm on Saturday, 11 April.
At the briefing, intern doctors presented four demands to the government and the Dhaka University administration. They urged the government to quickly identify the perpetrators and take legal action. At the same time, they called on Dhaka University authorities to identify those involved, publicly disclose their names and identities, ensure exemplary punishment, and take effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Nabil Bin Kashem, General Secretary of the Intern Doctors Society, said that on Wednesday (8 April), a group of unruly individuals identifying themselves as Dhaka University students carried out a disgraceful attack on on-duty doctors in the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, creating a “mob” and causing a chaotic situation within the hospital premises.
Following the incident, an investigation committee was formed. At the same time, intern doctors at Dhamek observed a 48-hour work stoppage under the banner of the Intern Doctors Society. After the strike ended, a protest program was held on Saturday on the hospital premises, demanding a safe working environment for doctors and punishment for the attackers.
After the protest, the investigation committee stated that most of the four-point demands raised by the Intern Doctors Society have been incorporated into their recommendations.
Doctors also reported that on the same day, a similar attack on physicians occurred at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, raising nationwide concerns over the safety of medical professionals.
They warned that if their demands are not met within the next 48 hours, all intern doctors across the country will be compelled to launch stricter nationwide programs.
The press briefing further emphasized that although most of their demands have been reflected in the investigation committee’s recommendations, the primary demand now is the immediate identification of the attackers based on video footage and evidence, followed by legal action. In particular, Dhaka University authorities must publicly disclose the identities of the accused and ensure exemplary punishment to prevent recurrence.
DBTech/ MTO/ EK/ OR
