500 patients leave Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital as medical services suspended for 2nd day amid doctors protest
In solidarity with the ongoing protest, private chambers also stopped seeing patients
A full-scale strike by doctors in protest against assault on doctors and nurses, as well as vandalism, following the death of a patient at Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital continued into the second day, resulting in a fresh spell of suffering for patients.
More than 500 patients who were admitted to the Cox's Bazar District Hospital have left, leaving the hospital nearly empty.
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Authorities have said limited services are being provided in the emergency department.
In solidarity with the ongoing protest, private chambers also stopped seeing patients.
Meanwhile, students from Cox's Bazar Medical College have joined the demonstration as well.
Since this morning (12 September), protests and human chains have been ongoing with a four-point demand.
Arrests made
Earlier, a patient named Abdul Aziz died in the hospital's CCU on Tuesday night (10 September).
Following the death, on-duty doctor Dr Sajib Kazi was assaulted, and parts of the ICU and CCU were vandalised.
On Wednesday night (11 September), Dr Sajib Kazi, the injured doctor, filed a case with Cox's Bazar Sadar police station regarding the assault.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman, two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
The arrestees are two brothers Tahsin Mohammad Reza, 25, and Tamim Mohammad Reza, 22
"The case was filed by Dr Sajib Kazi following an attack on doctors and staff inside the Cardiology [CCU] department after a patient's death. The case names 20-25 individuals as defendants, and two have already been arrested," Mizaur said.
He also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to bring all those involved to justice.
A seven-day remand has been requested for the two arrested individuals. The court has sent them to jail and scheduled a hearing on the remand at a later date, he said.
What are the doctors' demands
Today at 11am doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and medical students from the medical college staged a protest and formed a human chain with a four-point demand.
They have warned that if their demands are not met, they will shut down even the emergency services.
The four demands are as follows:
Promptly arresting of the real culprits and necessary administrative actions to ensure their punishment, publishing of their names and photos in media, ensuring uninterrupted security for all doctors, nurses, and staff, as well as the entire hospital and filing of vandalism case by hospital administration by evening, alongside proving full medical care and compensation to the injured doctor.
Dr Mong Ting Ngo, superintendent of Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, mentioned that a committee has been formed to investigate the vandalism at the hospital.
He also said unless security is ensured, doctors, nurses, and staff are unwilling to provide services outside the emergency department.
A case is expected to be filed by the evening on behalf of the hospital administration, and efforts are underway to normalise the situation.
