Doctors protest, confine hospital director over corruption allegations

A protest by doctors and medical students at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) culminated in the confinement of Hospital Director Brig Gen Asaduzzaman to his office for two hours. The demonstrators demanded his immediate resignation, alleging widespread corruption.

The protesters, who took position inside the director's room from noon to 2:00 pm, specifically targeted Asaduzzaman, who they claimed was appointed during the Awami League administration. They accused him of corruption and of recently blocking the transfer of a hospital official allegedly involved in corrupt practices. Furthermore, the director was labeled an "accomplice of the fascists" and accused of hindering medical treatment for students injured during the July Uprising.

The protest was reportedly ignited by a dispute that began the previous afternoon concerning the transfer of an administrative officer. Several protesting doctors informed The Daily Star that physicians attempted to lock the official's room after the transfer order, leading to accusations of assault against them when an employee allegedly intervened.

Dr. Md Jahirul Islam Shakil, Secretary General of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), confirmed that the situation was being resolved. "Everyone has returned to work. The secretary and the DGHS director general are currently holding a meeting inside, and they will provide further details," he stated, indicating that official intervention had de-escalated the immediate crisis.

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Everyone has returned to work. The secretary and the DGHS director general are currently holding a meeting inside, and they will provide further details.