The resident physicians and resident surgeons of the out-patient department have also been extending their tacit support to the striking doctors by not referring any patient for admission.

"Morjina received treatment from this hospital ten to twelve days ago and returned home. But as her condition deteriorated we again brought her back to the hospital," said one of her relatives adding that the doctors said no patient was being given admission to the hospital.

"We don't know what to do now. The emergency doctors said we can admit her to Holly Family Red Crescent Hospital or Dhaka Medical College Hospital," the relative added.

A huge number of patients coming from within the capital or outside seeking treatment at Birdem had to go back as no new patient has been given admission to the hospital following a strike of around 300 in-patient department doctors who were given contractual appointments after 1992, when the practice of giving such appointments began.

The doctors went on the strike on Monday following a notice issued by the authorities on the same day saying no contractual appointment of doctors will be renewed.

Demanding regularisation of their jobs and a unified rule for all employees the in-patient department doctors on contract have been on the strike since then.

Only four patients, who are either staff of the hospital or their relatives, were admitted yesterday whereas usually more than sixty new patients usually get admissions there everyday.

Even surgeries have been stopped leaving patients in grave situations, while the doctors are abstaining from carrying out their routine duties. Many of the admitted patients who are scheduled to be discharged from the hospital following treatment are also not being able to leave the hospital because they are not getting discharge letters due to the physician's strike. In the meantime fees for their unnecessary stays in the hospital are piling up on their bills.

A special emergency medical squad has been providing services in a limited capacity to the emergency patients and around 30 to 40 registrars yesterday decided to join hands with the special team.

Asking the striking doctors to join work, the hospital authorities yesterday issued another notice saying that their lawful demands will be considered by the national council meeting of Bangladesh Diabetic Association on June 30.

But the striking doctors announced that they will continue striking till their demands are met, because the authorities had given such assurances several times before but did not keep their word.

"The authorities did not put out any concrete proposal rather they said the lawful demands will be considered. So we can't rely on their assurance," said a striking doctor seeking anonymity, who also apprehended that the strike might continue until Secretary General of the National Council of Bangladesh Diabetic Association Prof AK Azad Khan returns home from abroad on June 30.

The striking doctors also said the notice informing them that no contractual appointment will be renewed might be a product of a conspiracy for hiring 50 students of Ibrahim Medical College, who are about to graduate in two months.

While the medical college was being established it was told that a hospital would be established there too and with that promise the authorities got the permission to establish the medical college. But no hospital was established with the college while the authorities are now contract bound to give the students an opportunity for internship with a hospital, the striking doctors said.

"The Birdem authorities are more eager to take these interns as they would be able to pay the interns lesser than what they have to pay experienced doctors," said a striking physician.

While contacted, a member of the Board of Management of Birdem, Major Gen (retd) Prof AR Khan, said the issue of interns is nothing but a rumour.

"The striking doctors have not called off their strike and we will take necessary steps in light of the prevailing situation," he added.