Private services stopped in Chittagong, patient-relatives suffer

To protest the attack on two doctors in Chittagong and to demand the arrest of those involved, doctors have stopped all private medical services, including private practices, on Tuesday (April 23).

New patients are not being admitted in private hospitals. Besides, all kinds of tests have been stopped in the diagnostic centers. The patients and their relatives have to suffer a lot.

This program was called from a protest meeting held in front of Chittagong Medical College Hospital last Thursday. Earlier on April 20, Chittagong doctors observed a two-hour strike. As part of the continuous program, private chambers have been closed from 6 am to 24 hours today, along with lab diagnostic centers and private hospitals, patient admissions have been stopped.

Since morning, almost all the service institutions including Epic Healthcare, Chevron Diagnostic Center, Popular Diagnostic Center in the city have stopped providing patient services.

At around 11 o’clock, a banner was seen hanging at the gate of Epic Health Care in Chittagong Medical College Hospital area of ​​the city. Where it is written, as per the program of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), all services of Epic Healthcare will be closed on 23rd.

Earlier on Saturday (April 20), doctors observed a 2-hour strike from 10 am to 12 pm in all public and private hospitals, upazila health complex and clinic-diagnostic centers of Chittagong.

It is known that on April 11, the doctor on duty complained of delay in treating a patient injured in an accident at Patia General Hospital in Chittagong. Raktim Das was severely beaten. Dr. Raktim Das is currently undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College (CHMEC) Hospital.

On April 14, Chittagong Medical Center Hospital, after the death of a child due to pneumonia in the NICU, Dr. Dr. Riaz Uddin Shiblu was attacked. Dr. Riyaz is currently undergoing treatment in Chamek Hospital’s ICU. His condition is stable but still not out of danger. Moreover, some officials and employees of the hospital were injured in this incident.

Due to these two incidents, the doctors gathered in front of Chamek Hospital on April 18 and formed a human chain. Leaders of Swadhinta Prachik Parishad (SWACHIP) and Paediatrics Doctors Association, Intern Doctors Association and Private Hospital Associations joined the human band organized by Chittagong Medical Association (BMA).

AAZ/SNR/GKS