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Published : 12 Aug 2025, 12:41 PM
Two students have fallen ill while taking part in a hunger strike outside Barishal's Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital to demand reforms in the country’s healthcare sector.
The pair, Tahmid Islam Daiyan and Shafin Mahmud -- both recent SSC graduates from Barishal Model School and College -- joined the demonstration on Tuesday to press for three key reforms, including improvements to healthcare services and changes at the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
After repeated attempts to persuade the protesters to seek treatment at the hospital failed, the hospital’s Director AKM Moshiul Munir arranged for care to be given at the main gate.
Daiyan was given saline and oxygen on site after fellow demonstrators refused to allow him to be moved to a ward. Mahmud also received treatment.
Speaking to reporters, Mahmud said: “It has been 24 hours since we began the hunger strike. The government has not yet taken any action. We will continue until the health advisor comes and provides a solution."
"If the death of one student ensures proper healthcare for the people of the country, we will accept that death.”
Daiyan added, “Through the movement we built, we ousted the fascists. Don’t force us to launch a one-point movement.”
Director Munir said he had “done everything possible” to address the protesters’ concerns and had been “checking on the students all the time”.
“Work is under way to improve hospital services,” he said. “Long-standing problems cannot be solved overnight, but the situation has improved greatly.”
The students insist they have “no complaints” against the director, but say their demand is for the health advisor to come in person.
Daiyan’s sister, Shifa, said: “My brother has fallen ill. He was also shot during the student movement. If anything happens to him, the chief advisor and the health advisor will be held responsible.”
