KMCH interns again on indefinite strike

Interns at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) began an indefinite strike again yesterday to realise their five-point demand.
The demands include deployment of additional police and security guards at the hospital, investigation into the attack on some doctors by the outsiders on May 23 and punishment to the attackers, upgrading the 250-bed hospital to a 500-bed one and adequate supply of medical equipment to ensure better treatment of the patients.
Following assault on some doctors by the relatives and attendants of a patient who succumbed to his bullet injuries at the hospital on May 23, the interns at the hospital went on an indefinite strike on May 24 and submitted the five-point demand to the hospital authorities.
They withdrew the strike on May 26 after the authorities concerned assured them of meeting the demands as soon as possible.
Dr Kazi Karim Newaz, president of the KMCH unit of Interns Association, said they went on the strike as the hospital authorities did not pay heed to the demands even after 10 days of the assurance.
“We will continue the strike until the demands are met,” he said, adding that the interns will perform their duties at OTs and attend to the patients at emergency section during the strike.
Dr Kazi Karim Newaz further said, the interns will stage demonstration in front of the hospital superintendent's office for three hours from 8:00am everyday and observe work abstention in the afternoon and night shifts until the demand are met.
Contacted, KMCH Director Professor Paritosh Kumar Kundo said they formed an eight-member committee comprising the hospital authorities and interns to make suggestions for resolving the problems.
“I will talk to KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque and KMP Commissioner Safiqur Rahman to beef up security at KMCH,” he added.