KMCH interns go on strike
Interns at Khulna Medical College Hospital enforced a work abstention from yesterday, demanding safety of its doctors and students following clashes between pharmacy staffers and students on Monday night.
At least 11 students and nine shopkeepers were injured in the clash in front of the hospital on Monday night, according to both parties.
According to Saiful Islam Antu, president of Khulna Medical College Hospital's Inter-Doctors Council, four of the injured students are in critical condition and receiving care at KMCH.
"Police are yet to arrest anyone. We'll continue work abstention if the perpetrators are not brought to book," he added.
However, no case has been filed with the local police station in this regard.
"We are talking with the college administration over who will file the case… we are expecting them to lodge the complaint," Saiful added.
Dr Mehedi Newaz, vice-principal of Khulna Medical College, told reporters that a student of the medical college locked into an argument with a shopkeeper at a drugstore in front of the college over high medicine price.
At one point, several shopkeepers teamed up and beat up the student. When other students came to know about it, they went to the drugstore and the shopkeepers beat them up too,
Momtazul Haque, officer-in-charge of Sonadanga Police Station, said, "We have talked to both sides. No case has been filed yet."
When the clash erupted on Monday, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control promptly, he added.
Meanwhile, the pharmacy staffers in front of the hospital have also kept their shops closed.
Jillur Rahman, a pharmacy owner and leader of Medicine Entrepreneurs Society, said, " Not only nine pharmacy staffers were injured, many of our shops were also vandalised. We decided to keep our shops shut to avoid further escalation of the conflict."
Caught in between this conflict, it's the ordinary treatment seekers who are suffering the most.
Ismail Hossain, who had brought his ailing wife for treatment all the way from a remote village, failed to get her admitted into the facility.
He had to head towards another hospital, which was a waste of both time and money for this poor couple.
This incident occurred around 12:30pm, as they were observed seated near the hospital's main gate.
Many other patients also faced a similar situation due to the ongoing strike.
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