Interns at MMCH start indefinite strike

Interns at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) went on an indefinite strike yesterday, protesting assault on one of their fellows.

They also locked the gate of the emergency department of the hospital for two hours, sources said.

Following intervention by MMCH authority and leaders of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Mymensingh unit, the interns later unlocked the gate, said hospital sources.

Dr Abu Bakar Siddique, president of Intern Doctors' Association at MMCH, said a group of around 15 outsiders entered Ward No-13 of the hospital 15 days ago.

As the on-duty doctors asked them why they entered the ward without any reason, the group locked in an altercation with them and left the scene after threatening them, alleged Dr Siddique.

The same group again entered the room yesterday and engaged in an altercation with Dr Mazhar over taking of tissue paper from the ward without permission. At one stage, they allegedly assaulted Dr Mazhar, said Dr Siddique, quoting Dr Mazhar.

Hearing a hue and cry, doctors from adjacent wards rushed to the spot but the attackers fled the scene.

Protesting the incident, the interns locked the gate of the emergency department for two-hours and stopped treatment of patients, Dr Siddique said. They also brought out a procession on the hospital premises, demanding immediate arrest and punishment of the attackers.

"We will go for tougher agitation if the attackers are not arrested within 12 hours," the interns threatened.

Contacted, Dr Motiur Rahman Bhuiyan, secretary of BMA Mymensingh unit, said they will sit with the hospital authorities and the administration to resolve the matter.

A case was lodged with Kotwali Police Station. No one was arrested as of filing of this report at 6:00pm yesterday.