Health services collapsed following student movement

Mahfuja Mukul: Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in the mass uprising of students last Monday, most of the doctors, officers and employees including the director-general of most of the medical college hospitals in the capital including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) have been absent from work. Many of them are suffering from panic and have covered their bodies. Some doctors are present at work but less than required. Those who are coming are not giving much time.
Many institutions are closed for treatment of complex diseases including surgery. Emergency services are available but less than the demand. New patient admissions are less. Those who are admitted are also not getting the required services. A kind of apprehension is also working among doctors and officials. It is seriously disrupting the medical services, which are on the verge of collapsing.
Admitting the issue of absence, the administrative officers and doctors said that after the change of power, the central leaders of the pro-Awami doctors’ organization Swadhana Pradhan Parishad (Swachip) and Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), leaders of medical college branches and supporting doctors are not coming to work because of fear. Many of them, when contacted on mobile phones, said that they are afraid of their lives. All of them have now covered their heads or are under house arrest, thinking that they may be attacked if they come to the hospital. Many have switched off their mobile phones. The patient is not seen in the chamber either. For the past few days, the hospitals are running only on the trust of interns and junior doctors. How long will this continue, the question among those concerned.
Last Thursday, after visiting 5 to 6 health care institutions including BSMMU, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital, the rooms of most of the top officials were found to be locked. Complex surgeries are also stopped due to this absence of doctors.
Apart from this, it was found that the National Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Chest Disease Institute and Hospital, Sheikh Russell National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital, Shahid Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, National Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Institute, National Kidney Institute Hospital, National Heart Institute Hospital, Information about the absence of doctors supporting the organization was obtained from the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital Swachip and the central leader of the BMA.
Those concerned said that most of the senior doctors including BSMMU vice-chancellor, government medical college and hospital principal, director, deputy director, professor, associate professor, central leader of Swachip and BMA and important leaders and members of medical college branch. As a result, pro-Awami doctors are not coming to the hospital out of fear since the mass coup. During the Awami League government, pro-BNP doctors were subjected to various tortures against many of them. Again, there are many allegations of various irregularities and corruption against many pro-Awami doctors.
It is known that after the Awami League came to power in 2009, members or supporters of the Swachik were appointed to the top positions of various medical colleges, hospitals and various departments of the health department. But in the last 15 years many BNP supporters have been deprived in various ways including the appointment of doctors. Many people are angry about it. Pro-Awami doctors are not coming to work because of the fear of attack by these angry people. Complaints have been raised that many are trying to punish the BNP leader by changing the political volley after the pot change.
It can be seen on the surface of BSMMU on Thursday, there is silence all around the administrative building. None of the vice-chancellors, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Dean Md. Nurul Haque, came to the hospital. Even the office bearers of registrar and proctor were not seen. For the past few days, almost all the rooms were locked, but the rooms of some administrative officers were seen to be open. However, most of the chairman’s rooms in the university were seen locked and absent.
Many of these doctors and officials said that after the change of government, we are also now in fear, what will happen when. If this continues, the structure of the university will collapse and the doctors will suffer. They said, I heard that the university activities will start from next Saturday. But I don’t dare to go.
They complain that they are not able to go to work because of the fear of pro-BNP doctors and employees.
A relative of a patient who was admitted to the eye department of BSMMU a week ago said, “My mother had an eye operation on Tuesday.” But I could not do it because there was no doctor. I don’t know when it will be done now. A patient admitted to the surgery department with breast cancer expressed anger and said, “My condition is very bad.” When the pain arises, it is unbearable. Although I am scheduled to have an operation on Monday, I cannot do it. Not getting proper service. Costs including hospital stay and food are increasing. How many days like this?
About the fear, a doctor of Swachip, on the condition of anonymity, told Time Light, I am very worried about the safety of my life. That’s why I can’t go to work. We want to go back to the office. So, I am monitoring the situation. A doctor who tried to punish the BNP leader for changing political voles told the Times on condition of anonymity, We are already part of the BNP family. But due to lack of opportunities, I joined Swachib for fear of going to work.
The president of the DAB branch of BSMMU said that doctors are being intimidated. Md. Saiful Islam said in the light of time, have we scared anyone? These words do not suit the mouth of the corrupt. If someone has committed various types of irregularities and misdemeanors including theft, then it is natural for him to have fear in his mind. They are afraid of their misdeeds. Because this institution belongs to the country. But in 15 to 16 years this institution was destroyed by corruption and illegal recruitment or promotion. They were busy looting for the sake of liberation war spirit. Anarchy in BSMMU medical, education, research. We have been subjected to unspeakable torture, from being fired. My room has also been broken into three times. But after August 5, we didn’t say anything to anyone.
He said, in the last few days, many things have changed, including the change in the political pot. Maybe some people have a grudge. But those who have not committed any misdeeds or atrocities in this university, have no reason to fear. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Dean Md. Attempts were made to contact Nurul Haque but he did not answer the phone.
On Thursday morning, it was found that many administrative officers, including the principal’s office, were absent from the hospital. They haven’t been coming since last Tuesday. The employees sitting in front said that the situation is not good, so the principal did not come. Awami pro doctors along with the chairman of various departments of the hospital are absent.
Shahed Hossain, a relative of a patient who was admitted to the Department of Neuro Medicine in DM told the light of time while crying that the doctor did not come to see him even once after being admitted here. But my patient’s condition is getting worse day by day. I can’t see this situation, I can’t bear it. I don’t know what to do. Dhaka Medical College Hospital Vice Principal Dr. Debesh Chandra Talukdar said in the light of time, many people are in panic in the current situation. For which many people are not coming. Because we have people of different opinions here. So it is natural to be apprehensive about security. Hope all goes well.
A visit to the National Orthopedic Institute and Rehabilitation Institute (known as Pangu Hospital) in Sher-e-bangla Nagar area revealed that several senior doctors, including the director of the institution, were absent. The scheduled surgery is also not being done. Patients are being deprived of required services. The situation is similar at National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital and Sheikh Russell National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital at Mohakhali. Many of the directors, deputy directors, chairman of various departments and pro-Awami doctors of these hospitals are absent.
Visiting Gastroliver Institute and Hospital, it can be seen that the words ‘Sheikh Russell’ have been removed from the signboard of the institution. A search at the operating room of the hospital revealed that all lung-related operations except minor surgeries have been stopped there for the past few days. In this regard, the director of the hospital, Professor Dr. Golam Kibria was called several times but he did not pick up the phone. However, a doctor in this hospital, on the condition of anonymity, told the Times that everyone is more or less scared due to security reasons. It is not possible to provide services without security assurance.
Regarding the current situation, public health expert Abu Jamil Faisal told the Times that those who have not worked directly for the party, or are not associated, have nothing to fear. But doctors should stay out of party politics. And because of party politics, many important posts are being placed or promoted. As a result, ordinary people are not getting the desired services and office work is also being hampered. Now is the time for doctors to come out of party politics. Otherwise, the country will never be self-sufficient in healthcare.