Clash between Dhaka University students and DMCH doctors disrupts emergency services

Several injured as tensions flare at the hospital, suspending emergency services

Emergency medical services at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) have been suspended following a clash between a group of Dhaka University (DU) students and the hospital’s doctors and Ansar members.

Witnesses said the incident occurred around 5:30pm on Wednesday.

Several DU students were injured in the clash, said a student, Mohammad Emon.

Among the injured, Mahadi Hasan Sanim, a 2023–24 academic session student of the botany department, is receiving treatment at the Shahid Buddhijibe Dr Muhammad Mortaza Medical Centre of Dhaka University.

Following the incident, DU Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed and DMCH Director Brig Gen Md Asaduzzaman met around 6:30pm at the hospital to address the situation.

According to Emon, Sanim had an exam earlier in the day and later felt unwell, prompting him to visit DMCH for treatment.

After consulting a doctor, Sanim went to buy medicines but could not find them at nearby pharmacies.

He returned to request an alternative prescription, which led to an argument.

At one stage, other doctors joined and allegedly assaulted him, Emon claimed.

“When we went to speak after hearing about the assault, doctors and Ansar members attacked us,” he said.

However, a DMCH final-year student, known only as Noman, gave a different account, alleging that DU students attacked doctors.

“Some of our doctors had their clothes torn,” he said.

The clash led to the suspension of emergency medical services at the DMCH.

DU students later gathered outside the hospital, while Dhaka Medical College students staged a counter-protest inside the emergency gate, chanting slogans demanding justice for Tofazzal.

Tofazzal Hossain, a mentally unstable youth, was beaten to death on suspicion of theft at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall of Dhaka University on Sept 18, 2024.

The incident was referenced in the slogans by DMCH students.

Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, said additional police and Ansar personnel have been deployed following the incident.