Services at Khulna hospitals hampered as doctors on 24hr work abstention

Medical services at all government and private hospitals in Khulna district have been hampered since this morning as doctors went on a 24-hour work abstention in protest of the attack on a fellow physician.

The doctors have stopped seeing outdoor patients at the government hospitals from 6:00am today, reports our Khulna correspondent.

While visiting the hospitals, our correspondent found many of those locked. 

At Khulna Medical College Hospital, the doctors are providing medical services only to patents in the emergency department. No private medical centre is open in the city.

Dr Baharul Alam, president of BMA Khulna unit, told The Daily Star, "The accused has not been arrested so far. That's why we will continue the work abstention."

On February 25, Assistant Sub-Inspector Nayeem, who has been posted at Satkhira district police, confined Sheikh Nishat Abdullah, assistant professor and head of plastic surgery department of Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialized Hospital, for three hours when he was conducting an operation at a nursing home at Sheikhpara in the city, Dr Baharul said.

The police official also physically assaulted the doctor, who previously conducted a surgery on a relative of the ASI, he added.  

Nishat Abdullah was undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital.

The work abstention was announced at a press conference at BMA Bhaban in Khulna yesterday.