DAB wants promotion list of doctors cancelled

Dhaka, Nov 17 (bdnews24.com) -- A pro-opposition physicians' group has demanded immediate cancellation of promotions for doctors made by the departmental promotion committee (DPC), after raising allegations of serious irregularities.

"Irregularities were carried out by the DPC in the promotion of more than 700 doctors. Experience and seniority were not considered during the process," Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, the secretary general of Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB), said on Thursday.

"The promoted doctors were part of a 'special' association or were relatives of committee members," Dr Zahid added at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club.

The secretary general of the BNP-backed physician grouping also alleged that the promotions made by DPC were not acceptable.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) published the list of promoted government doctors on its website on Oct 31.

"Measures will be taken after investigation into these irregularities if my party (BNP) comes to power," he added.

Dr Zahid further alleged that the government did not follow any procedure in the DPC promotion process. He said there was no similarity between DPC's published promotion list of 156 physicians and the one signed by the health minister.

The DAB official also claimed that serious irregularities would be found if DPC's working paper and the minister's summary paper were scrutinised.

"Health providers have been assigned in the rural areas after considering party references. This will certainly endanger public health," added Dr Zahid.

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