CMCH, KMCH Interns Begin Shutdown Over 5 Demands

Medical interns at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) launched a ‘complete shutdown’ on Sunday to press for the fulfillment of their five-point demands, including reforms in the healthcare sector. The strike, initiated by the Intern Doctors’ Council at 8 am, has significantly disrupted the treatment of admitted patients.

“Interns have been on work abstention since this morning. Interns from other medical colleges have also joined the strike. We are taking a firm stance to demand our rights. After today’s human chain protest, we will submit a memorandum to the hospital principal and director,” said intern Zobayer Ahmad.

While emergency services, surgeries, and outpatient care will continue, the movement is impacting regular hospital functions.

The Intern Doctors’ Council condemned the repeated delays in the High Court’s ruling on healthcare sector reforms. "On February 19, for the 90th time, the High Court postponed its verdict, turning the healthcare sector into a theatrical stage. We strongly protest this delay," the statement said.

Medical students from all academic years at CMCH expressed their solidarity by boycotting classes and exams. They voiced concerns over unqualified individuals using the title of ‘doctor,’ leading to malpractice and harassment for licensed practitioners.

The interns’ demands include raising the maximum age limit for BCS medical exams to 34 years and recruiting 10,000 medical teachers to address the doctor shortage.

Dr. Arafat Hossain, president of the KMCH Intern Doctors’ Association (IDA), criticized the government’s decision to register Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) graduates, calling it illegal and harmful to the healthcare system.

"We are demanding reforms to protect the healthcare sector, and we will continue our work abstention until our five-point demands are met," Dr. Hossain said.

The five key demands are:

   1. Only MBBS and BDS degree holders should be allowed to use the title ‘doctor.’ The High Court writ against BMDC’s decision should be withdrawn within 72 hours, and the registration of MATS graduates through BMDC should stop immediately.
   2. Update the Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug list to align with global medical standards. Only MBBS and BDS doctors should prescribe drugs outside the OTC list, and pharmacies should be restricted from selling these without a prescription.
   3. Address the doctor shortage by:
       - Recruiting 10,000 doctors to fill vacancies and establishing a health commission for recruitment at the seventh-grade level.
       - Hiring 4,000-5,000 doctors annually to maintain a balanced healthcare sector.
       - Raising the maximum age for government job entry to 34 years.
   4. Shut down MATS institutions and substandard medical colleges. MATS graduates should be appointed as medical assistants, not SACMOs.
   5. Implement a law for the protection of doctors.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Director of KMCH, acknowledged the merit of the interns’ demands but assured that patient care would not be compromised. Senior doctors, including medical officers and assistant registrars, have been instructed to remain active to ensure uninterrupted medical services.