Khulna doctors go on 12hrs strike

Doctors went on a 12-hour strike in the public and private hospitals, diagnostic centres and private chambers in Khulna yesterday, protesting an assault on a doctor allegedly by an Awami League leader in Terokhada Upazila Health Complex in the district.

Khulna unit of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Vice-President Sheikh Baharul Alam announced the strike from a human chain on Wednesday evening.

Gazi Mizanur Rahman, president of Khulna Clinic Owners' Association,  Dr Rafiqul Islam, civil surgeon of the district, and Mehedi Newaz, secretary of the unit of BMA, were present at the human chain.

All government and private-run hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and private chambers of physicians were seen closed during the strike, forcing patients to go back without receiving treatment.

The doctors demanded an immediate arrest and punishment of the accused AL leader.

Earlier on Sunday, local AL leader Wahiduzzaman along with his followers allegedly assaulted Abdullah Al Mamun, a physician at Terokhada Health Complex.