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Many physicians have been absent due to security concerns, while others have been barred from their workplaces
Published : 21 Aug 2024, 02:24 AM
The presence of pro-Awami League doctors, officials, and staff in government and autonomous hospitals, including the Directorate General of Health Services, or DGHS, has significantly reduced since Aug 5. Many have been absent due to security concerns, while others have been barred from their workplaces.
With the new government in power, healthcare professionals have been staging programmes to assert their demands, often during office hours. This has led to disruptions in the DGHS’s routine activities and medical services.
On Tuesday, protests demanding the removal of pro-Awami League doctors and staff were held at the DGHS.
Several officials, including the director general, were unable to enter the premises due to obstructions.
In Dhaka's Shahbagh, thousands of healthcare workers took to the streets in protest, while at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, demonstrators demanded the resignation of the principal.
DGHS NEARLY CRIPPLED
Since Sheikh Hasina regime fell on Aug 5, most pro-Awami League doctors at the DGHS have stopped attending office.
After the interim government took charge, the situation improved slightly, and some officials, including the former director general, resumed work.
On Aug 11, the BCS Health Cadre Association, an organisation of government doctors, held a sit-in programme in front of the DGHS office in Mohakhali with three-point demands.
On Aug 13, the doctors started a sit-in protest with two-point demands including the resignation of Director General ABM Khurshid Alam.
Since then, Khurshid has ceased attending the office.
Amidst this ongoing protest, on Aug 15, various employees in the healthcare sector, including nurses, began a sit-in demanding the resignation of pro-Awami League officials.
Many officials have been unable to attend the DGHS office since then.
The government cancelled the contractual appointment of Khurshid and appointed Mohammad Robed Amin, director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control Branch, as the acting director general of the DGHS on Aug 17.
However, even after assuming his role, Robed has been unable to access his office.
On Tuesday, the DGHS building was found locked, with protesters outside demanding the removal of Robed and Additional Director General Ahmedul Kabir.
Most officials were absent, including directors, programme managers, and deputy programme managers.
Doctors and staff from various hospitals, including those from outside Dhaka, were present at the protest.
They are supposed to be at their respective offices if they are not on leave.
Medical technologist Md Mamunur Rashid from the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, or NICRH, told bdnews24.com that they faced severe harassment and discrimination under the previous government.
He said many trained experts were relocated outside Dhaka, affecting the quality of essential diagnostic services.
He, too, was transferred outside Dhaka.
When asked who is performing his duties, Rashid said: “Since we have been subjected to discrimination for so long, we have to protest. We are managing our tasks as per the roster and providing patient care while also participating in the protests.”
A second-class officer at the DGHS said administrative work has almost come to a halt since Aug 5 due to the absence of officials.
He told bdnews24.com “Since the 5th of August, the senior officers have not been coming. Even if they do come, they leave after a short while. Without their presence, I can’t get files signed.
Administrative activities have almost stopped.”
When contacted via phone, a DGHS official, requesting anonymity, told bdnews24.com that for security reasons, he has not been attending the office since Aug 14.
He has been trying to work from home.
After witnessing the harassment of top health officials in front of the health advisor on Monday,
his fears have only intensified.
Robed told bdnews24.com that he did not go to the office on Wednesday as his room was locked.
“They have locked my room. I cannot go to the office, so I am doing some work from home. Tomorrow [Wednesday], I will speak with the advisor.”
“I will work according to his instructions. As a government official, I have no choice but to follow them."
On Wednesday, doctors in Dhaka will hold a programme outside the DGHS office, and they will also conduct a long march to the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, or BMDC,
demanding registration for practice for those with four-year diploma or Bachelor of Science, or BSc, degree.
14,000 COMMUNITY HEALTH PROVIDERS RALLY IN DHAKA
Nearly 14,000 Community Health Care Providers, or CHCPs, from across the country have gathered in Dhaka’s Shahbagh since Monday, demanding their jobs be brought under the government’s revenue budget.
Each of the country’s 14,000 community clinics has a CHCP who provides primary healthcare services to residents. With all CHCPs now in Dhaka, the operations of these clinics have come to a halt.
On Tuesday, thousands of CHCPs were seen occupying the road near the National Museum, blocking traffic on the stretch leading to Dhaka University.
Bhajan Mohanto, a CHCP from Sundarganj Upazila in Gaibandha, told bdnews24.com that they have hung signs at their clinics declaring a “work stoppage.”
“We’ve informed the Upazila authorities that we are on strike. We provide primary healthcare, but now services are halted as we had no other choice,” he said.
“Our salaries haven't increased in 13 years, and we've not been paid for the last three months due to a lack of funds. That's why we demand our jobs be brought under the revenue sector,” he added.
Zahid Uddin, a CHCP from Shariakandi Upazila in Bogura, echoed: “We serve over a thousand patients each month at our clinic, but not a single taka has been added to our salaries in 13 years. How are we supposed to survive?”
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Medical College, or DMC, branch of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh, or DAB, had planned a human chain and sit-in protest at the Shaheed Milon Chattar, demanding promotions and postings for doctors, nurses, and staff who they claim have been discriminated against.
On the same day, students submitted a memorandum to the DMC principal, demanding the transfer of 12 teachers they accused of opposing the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.
The situation at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, or BSMMU, remains tense following the resignation of the vice-chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, proctor, registrar, and three other top officials, which has created a deadlock.
However, medical services have resumed at the university.
A BSMMU doctor told bdnews24.com, “The vice-chancellor is the chief of university administration, and without a new appointee, no policy decisions can be made. But medical services are now running.”
Health Rights Movement President Prof Dr Rashid-E-Mahbub told bdnews24.com: "These are long-standing issues within the healthcare sector. To resolve them, we need to move away from the practice of appointing party loyalists to top positions.”
“Those involved in party politics are often appointed to key roles, whether they are qualified or not. This leads to instability whenever a new government comes in, as those who feel sidelined demand their place. Unless this is addressed, the situation will persist, causing suffering to patients,” he added.
[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi and Fariha Bristy]
