Medical Technology and Pharmacy Students Present Six Key Demands for Reform and Recognition
Medical technology and pharmacy students have presented six key demands, including the establishment of an independent directorate and the granting of 10th-grade (second-class gazetted) status for diploma holders. They have also called for the deployment of technologists in accordance with the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines.
These demands were announced during a press conference organized by the Anti-Discrimination Medical Technology and Pharmacy Struggle Council, held on Saturday, October 19, at the Institute of Health Technology Auditorium.
Joint Convenor Salahuddin read the written statement, stating that according to WHO guidelines, there should be three nurses and five medical technologists for every doctor. However, due to administrative complications, the recruitment of medical technologists has been halted for over 14 years. Currently, there are only 4,106 medical technologists employed in government jobs, while the total number of posts stands at 5,975.
Salahuddin also highlighted the disparity in the ratio of doctors and nurses, noting that there should be more than 80,000 personnel in this field. On August 1, 2023, the Health Services Division recruited 889 individuals for newly created positions, which is insufficient compared to the actual need. Due to the prolonged halt in recruitment, many eligible candidates have now exceeded the age limit for government job applications. Without a dedicated department, this skilled yet unemployed group is left living in a state of despair.
Highlighting the ongoing discrimination, he added that medical technologists lack a distinct wing or directorate for their career development, transfers, promotions, higher education, training, skill enhancement, and coordination.
Member Secretary Jibon Islam presented the six demands, which include: establishing an independent directorate, providing 10th-grade (second-class gazetted) status to diploma holders, creating positions in proportion to WHO standards and swiftly conducting recruitment, and resuming the recruitment process that was halted in 2013 as a priority. The other demands include: creating 9th-grade positions for graduate medical technologists and pharmacists, setting a standard recruitment process while maintaining proportional promotions, and including these professionals in the Health Protection Act. The demands also call for converting Dhaka IHT into a university, establishing distinct career plans for teachers in all IHTs, revising the existing recruitment guidelines, and addressing inconsistent grading. Additionally, they request the formation of a Medical Technology Council, a Diploma Medical Education Board, and the drafting of a private sector service policy. Lastly, they urge the introduction of B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses in all faculties, including B. Pharm, along with scholarships and training allowances.
