Chaos at DMCH

Following a feud over recruitment of class IV employees in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, over 200 class IV employees and job aspirants yesterday attacked some students and doctors of the hospital injuring at least 15 people.
The attacks on the doctors and students created extreme panic and hindered regular activities of the hospital causing huge sufferings to hundreds of patients.
Both the class IV employees and pro-Awami League doctors and students decided to go on strike from Saturday.
Witnesses said the employees chased the doctors' leaders out of the hospital premises. They alleged that those doctors, who were interfering in the recruitment process, were depriving the employees' recommended aspirants of the jobs.
The employees and aspirants chased pro-Awami League Swadhinata Chikitsok Parishad leaders Moni Lal Ice Litu and Abu Yusuf Faqir when they were entering the hospital around 10:00am.
After the incident around 25 BCL leaders and doctors went to the director's office and demanded punishment to those who attacked the doctors. But as soon as they came out of the office the employees swooped on them. On-duty police rescued the doctors and BCL leaders.
The employees also accused DMCH Director Brig Gen Bazle Quader of illegal interference in the recruitment process and demanded his removal.
Under the banner of "DMCH Doctors and DMC students Songram Parishad" pro-ruling party doctors and BCL leaders also demanded a transparent recruitment process.
The class IV employees also demanded dismissal of the doctors interfering in recruiting. Some other employees also demanded removal of doctors Moni Lal and Abu Yusuf Faqir.
However, Moni Lal and Abu Yusuf denied the allegations of taking bribe for recruitment. They rather alleged the DMCH Director and Employees' Union president Khaleq for the irregularities and corruption.
General Secretary of Class IV Employees' Union Shamsul Alam told The Daily Star, "Though the director had assured us of recruiting 51 person on our recommendation, he did not keep his word. Besides, some doctors, ministers, lawmakers and other influential persons have been partially controlling the recruitment process.
During a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters' Unity last evening, the doctors alleged that the recruitment process lacked transparency and they had nothing to do with it.