We condemn beating of journalists
JUST a day after the health minister's annoyance about doctors' behaviour with patients, their attendants not excluded, the intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) beat up as many as ten journalists on Sunday last. Of the injured the condition of a cameraman of Jamuna TV was reported to be critical. Yet no concrete action has been taken against the offenders.
The brawl that began sometime around 9 pm by a relative of a patient allegedly slapping an intern doctor for neglecting his duty led to a clash. And as journalists rushed to the spot driven by the call of duty they were prevented from covering the incident and chased away.
If the assault was meant to prevent the public from knowing the hard truth about the poor healthcare service provided at the RMCH then their purpose was wholly defeated. Not only did the intern doctors reveal their true colours but also audaciously displayed their spiteful defiance of the rule of law.
What was also alarming during the mayhem is that the treatment of patients at the emergency unit, including other wards, remained suspended. What would have happened if any of the patients had died from neglect?
We condemn the atrocious acts of the intern doctors of RMCH that do not behove of the nobility of their profession. Journalists must be allowed to perform their duties in public interest. Any interference in their line of duty impinges on the freedom of press.
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