DDCH comes to standstill following student strike
All activities at Dhaka Dental College and Hospital (DDCH) have come to a standstill following student strike over an arrest warrant issued by a Dhaka Court against seven students in connection with a murder incident two years ago.
In protest against the arrest warrant, around 500 students have been on strike since November 5.
As a result, patients coming to seek treatment at the hospital in Mirpur-14 from different parts of the capital and its outskirts are going back without any treatment.
Even the students coming to collect admission forms are also returning with a heavy heart.
“As I knew that the admission forms would be sold here from November 1 to 20, I came here today (Tuesday) to collect form. But the authorities said they have stopped selling forms in the face of strong agitation of students,” said Mohammad Shourav, an admission seeker.
“The authorities have however told me that as soon as the strike will be over, they would start selling forms,” he added.
Like Shourav, many admission seekers were seen going back with despair due to failure to collect forms from the public dental college.
Like the admission seekers, some 200 patients on an average every day are forced to go back without getting any treatment at the DDCH as the outdoor service of the hospital has been halted.
A day labourer Lal Mia, 40, came from Gazipur following infection in his teeth as the local dentist referred him to the DDCH saying that it might be cancerous if not treated immediately.
“ It would be very expensive if I go to a private clinic or hospital. What can I do now?” he asked helplessly.
While talking to The Daily Star, DDCH Principal Prof Muhammad Zakir Hossain said classes have been halted since November 5 following the strike.
However, some examinations took place on Tuesday and some patients were also treated in the hospital, he claimed.
He hoped that the situation will be normal within a very short time and the authorities are also trying to resolve the issue.
The students on strike, however, said they would continue their agitation until the case is withdrawn.
They said two years back, a thief was killed by the mob at their dormitory at Sobhanbagh under Mohammadpur Police Station.
The students chased the thief as he stole their belongings from the dormitory but he was lynched by the mob, they added.
The police filed a case against some 35/40 resident students of the hostel in 2006 and the Detective Branch filed a charge sheet with the court two months ago.
Recently a Dhaka Court issued an arrest warrant against seven students.
Terming the case 'false', the students said they were not involved in the incident and the college teachers, officers and employees also have expressed their solidarity with the demand of the students.
Prof Dr Shefayet Ullah, director of Medical Education at DG Health Office, visited the college on Sunday and talked to the students for resolving the stalemate.
Meanwhile, the agitating students yesterday formed a human chain along the road stretching from college campus to Mirpur-10 to press home their demands.
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