Amid hunger strike 8 community health workers suspended

Eight community health care providers (CHCPs), including the convener and chief adviser to the central committee of Community Health Care Providers Association (CHCPA), were suspended on Saturday.

The order came as they remained absent from their duties while they were staging a hunger strike demanding nationalisation of their jobs.

Community Based Health Care (CBHC) Director Dr Abul Hashem Khan issued the suspension letters citing “long absence from work and influencing others” for strike as the reasons.

The suspended CHCPs are Sahidul Islam, working at Dohar as well as the convener of the central committee; Kamal Hossain Sarkar of Kapasia in Gazipur and chief adviser to the committee; Asad Uddin Liton, Mohiuddin, Salma Yesmin, Mokammel Haque, Sahin Sarkar and Mahmuda Khanam Shimu.

Sahidul Islam told the news agency that “this is the most heinous incident for the CHCPs of Bangladesh”.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike of CHCPs stepped into its fourth day yesterday, asking for nationalisation of their jobs. The strike came in sequel to their five days' sit-in in front of Jatiya Press Club.

The agitating workers said they will continue the strike till their demand is met.