Interns at CMCH continue work stoppage

CHATTOGRAM, June 8: Intern doctors at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) continued their work stoppage for the second consecutive day on Monday, pressing for the implementation of their six-point charter of demands.

The strike began at 8:00am on Monday. As part of their previously announced programme, the doctors also staged a sit-in at the hospital's main gate at 11:00am.

The protesting doctors brought out a procession and held a rally on the medical college campus.

Earlier, on June 3, the Intern Doctors Association placed a six-point demand and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the authorities. Human chains and protest programmes were subsequently held at the main gate of CMCH on June 4 and June 6.

As no visible progress was made in meeting their demands, the association announced an indefinite strike from June 7.

Leaders of the Intern Doctors Association said the situation could improve if the relevant government authorities take prompt initiatives to resolve the issue through discussions. Otherwise, they warned, a larger movement could be launched in coordination with doctors from other medical colleges and hospitals across the country.

The intern doctors are observing the strike in support of a six-point set of demands, including changes to FCPS training policies, higher allowances and reforms in the health sector.

CMCH Director Brig Gen Mohammad Taslim Uddin said the intern doctors' movement is continuing across the country and that two of their demands have already been accepted.

"The remaining four demands are still under discussion," he said.

He added that health services had been partially affected by the strike and warned that a complete shutdown could severely disrupt medical services.

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