Striking doctors halt outpatient service at SBMCH

BARISHAL, Mar 12 (UNB): Doctors at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Barishal suspended outpatient services on Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing movement to press their five-point demand, causing immense suffering for hundreds of patients.

Patients said ticket distribution for outpatient services started at 8 am as usual but after handing out 200 to 300 tickets, hospital staff abruptly stopped issuing them.

Doctors left their chambers at 10 am, confirming the work stoppage, they said.

According to hospital sources, around 1,500 to 2,000 people seek treatment at the hospital's outpatient department daily.

Murtuza Alam, a doctor participating in the strike, said, "The protest is being observed nationwide. Since the directive reached us late, ticket distribution had already begun in the morning. We provided treatment to those who received tickets before halting our services in line with central instructions. Further decisions will be taken as per directives from our central body."