Pvt Hospitals, Diagnostics: Patients suffer as doctors go on strike

Services for outpatients were suspended as doctors at private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres began their two-day strike yesterday to demand the release of two physicians.

The two doctors in question were allegedly involved in the botched C-section that resulted in the death of a mother and her newborn in the capital last month.

Outpatients seeking help at the private health facilities had to suffer throughout the day.

The medical officials on strike said they will decide the next course of action at a meeting tomorrow as the two-day strike ends today.

The Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) enforced the strike that was joined in by doctors from other specialties.

On Sunday, the OGSB held a countrywide human chain.

All public hospitals and emergency departments at private healthcare facilities, however, were kept out of the strike's purview.

The two doctors involved in the C-section – Dr Shahzadi Mustarshida Sultana and Dr Muna Shaha -- were arrested on June 15 over an alleged mistake that led to the deaths of Mahbuba Rahman Akhi, 25, and her newborn at the capital's Central Hospital on June 10.

Mahbuba's husband Yakub Ali Sumon filed the case with Dhanmondi Police Station and also filed a complaint with Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council.

Due to the strike, doctors did not provide the patients with any consultation services.

Although the outpatient services at some diagnostic centers in Dhaka were continuing, our correspondents from Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Cox's Bazar, and Shariatpur reported that these services were suspended in those districts.

While visiting 10 private hospitals and diagnostic centers in Dhaka's Green Road area yesterday afternoon, it was seen that most of them had a lighter patient rush. However, people who came to the hospitals were seen struggling to get services.

On the other hand, patients from facilities with their doctors on strike went to the public hospitals for treatment.

Sources at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which are already struggling to accommodate dengue victims, saw a huge rush of new patients, adding to pressure on them.

Suruz Matubbor brought his severely ill wife to a neurologist at Dhaka's LabAid Hospital from Madaripur yesterday.

With no doctor available at the outpatient department, he asked people at the Healthcare Desk if there was any alternative option.

"My wife is severely ill. But they [the hospital authorities] said there will be no doctor even tomorrow. I don't know where to take her," he told The Daily Star.

Sabbir Ahmed, who brought his father for a brain stroke follow-up, meanwhile, said that his father's blood was collected for a test that was earlier advised by a doctor. "So we didn't face any problem."

Chowdhury Meher-E-Khuda (Dip), Public Relations Officer of LabAid Group, said, "We have our own salaried doctors for diagnostic services. So, we were able to continue those. But doctors at the private chambers suspended their consultation services at the outpatient department."

Indoor hospital operations, however, continued as usual, he said.

The situations were similar at the nearby Central Hospital, Green Life Hospital, Comfort Diagnostic Center, and SIBL Diagnostic Center.

Meanwhile, our Rajshahi correspondent reported that the strike has mounted pressure on the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

RMCH Director Brig Gen FM Shamim Ahmed said the pressure was mainly on the pathology department, where they had to hire seven staffers on an adhoc basis to manage the issue.

Aklima Begum, who took her pregnant daughter to Rajshahi from Kushtia, said, "I don't know what I should do now. Transport expenses are high. I can't afford another visit this week".

Our Mymensingh correspondent reported that many patients were suffering due to the strike.

Mujibur came to Chevron Clinical Laboratory, a private clinic in Cox's Bazar town, to see a heart specialist for his 80-year-old grandfather.

But he had to return home as the doctor, along with others, were on strike.

Our correspondents from Shariatpur, Dinajpur, Narayanganj and Tangail also reported a similar situation.