Normalcy is yet to return to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), though honorary doctors and interns lifted their strike call from Monday night. As a result, the hospital received less number of patients and visitors yesterday (Tuesday).
Some doctors, however, identified public holiday on Buddha Purnima, observed on the day, and panic that gripped the patients and visitors, following the recent chaos, as the two main reasons behind the poor turnout of patients at the country's largest public hospital.
They hoped that the situation would improve within a few days, as many people are still not aware of the decision regarding withdrawal of the protest programme.
The administrative unit of the hospital was also found locked from outside during a visit on the day.
When contacted with the emergency and causality department of DMCH, a physician said they have received 100 inbound patients in the first two and half hours till 12 noon.
"The number is more than 60 per cent lower then the normal days. The picture remains almost the same at the outdoor."
"I think many of the citizens are still unknown about the decision of strike suspension. The hospital will surely get back its busy look within a few days," he said.
Talking to the FE, Abdul Jalil, guardian of a patient, said he admitted his son Saiful Islam, who has been suffering from brain tumor, at the hospital after a struggle Wednesday."It becomes very difficult to find a doctor here. But nurses informed us of improving the situation after the public holiday," he said.
Healthcare services at DMCH were suspended since Sunday noon, protesting an assault on five honorary doctors at a place adjacent to the hospital by a group of people Saturday.
The protesting doctors and interns later called off their agitation at 8pm Monday following a meeting.