Hospital Staff Launch Counter-Movement Against Ongoing Protests in Bangladesh

Hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and administrative personnel, from the Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) launched a counter-movement against ongoing protests demanding reforms in the hospital and the broader health sector. The counter-movement was sparked by the protesters' alleged disruption of work environment and endangering of staff safety. The hospital staff announced that if the ongoing reform movement is not withdrawn by Friday, they will go on an indefinite work stoppage starting Saturday. The staff claimed that the protesters have been disrupting healthcare services, behaving inappropriately with doctors and nurses, and broadcasting live on social media with defamatory language. They alleged that even a fourth-grade staff member was physically assaulted.

Key Takeaways:

• The hospital staff launched a counter-movement against ongoing protests demanding reforms in the hospital and the broader health sector.
• The counter-movement was sparked by the protesters' alleged disruption of work environment and endangering of staff safety.
• The hospital staff announced that if the ongoing reform movement is not withdrawn by Friday, they will go on an indefinite work stoppage starting Saturday.
• The staff claimed that the protesters have been disrupting healthcare services, behaving inappropriately with doctors and nurses, and broadcasting live on social media with defamatory language.
• They alleged that even a fourth-grade staff member was physically assaulted.
• The hospital staff also claimed that the protests are being livestreamed on social media, using defamatory language against doctors, nurses, and all hospital personnel.
• The doctors, including Dr Sakhawat Hossain and Dr Shakhawat Hossain, president and general secretary of the Mid-Level Doctors' Association, respectively, supported the protesters' initial demands but claimed that the movement no longer has any legitimacy.
• A section of the protesters had suspended their agitation, giving a one-month ultimatum, while another group remained steadfast in their demand for the arrival of the health adviser before ending the protest.
• The protests have been ongoing for 16 days, with three demands, including eliminating mismanagement at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and other hospitals across the country.
• The protests have also caused inconvenience to passengers, pedestrians, transport operators, and local businesses in the area.

Statistics:

• 16 days: duration of the protests
• 3 demands: the protesters have, including eliminating mismanagement at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and other hospitals across the country.
• 4th-grade staff member: allegedly physically assaulted by protesters.
• 1-month ultimatum: the suspended group of protesters gave for the arrival of the health adviser.

Sources:

• The Daily Star (No date)
• Bangladesh Post (No date)