Transfer order for Dr Rezaul Karim withdrawn

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare withdrew its transfer order for Dr AKM Rezaul Karim of Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Thursday.

The Daily Star obtained a copy of the withdrawal order.

On June 26, the ministry transferred Dr Karim, a child cancer specialist and professor of paediatric haematology and oncology department, to Rangamati Medical College Hospital following a comment on a Facebook public post criticising lawmaker Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

In public interest, the health ministry later decided to reinstate Dr Karim -- one of only three such experts in the country, Health Minister Zahid Maleque had told The Daily Star.

Mashrafe, also captain of Bangladesh national cricket team, visited Narail Sadar Hospital on April 24, where he found four doctors absent.

After video of his visit went viral on social media, a number of doctors questioned the language Mashrafe used while talking to one of the absentees over phone. Many took to social media to voice their displeasure.

On July 4, more than 100 cancer patients and their relatives formed a human chain in front of Chattogram Press Club demanding withdrawal of the transfer order for Karim, saying that it would hamper treatment of the children with cancer.

The Daily Star ran stories regarding the issue headlined “A Costly Warning” and “Comments on Mashrafe: Ministry decides to keep oncologist in Chattogram” on July 11 and August 4 respectively. The newspaper also published an editorial headlined “Unique way of ‘warning’ a doctor” on July 12.

Contacted, Dr Karim said he was grateful to all who extended support and cooperation to him.