OUR CORRESPONDENT, Rajshahi

Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital began a 24-hour work stoppage at 9:00am yesterday, protesting what they called “continuous harassment” and a growing “mob culture” in the hospital.

The absence of around 230 interns has disrupted services, with patients reporting delays and a lack of treatment, while authorities struggle to fill the gap.

“I admitted my wife on Monday night, but her treatment has yet to begin,” said Bakkar Ali from Bagha upazila. “I heard the doctors are protesting, but if this continues, it will create serious problems for us.”

Intern representative Tanvir Ahmed Toukir said three colleagues were harassed by patients’ relatives over two days.

“On Sunday night, two male interns were harassed in ward 13, and on Monday, a female intern was surrounded and humiliated in ward 36,” he said. “In the absence of proper investigation and justice, we were compelled to announce the work stoppage.”

“We work an average of 14 hours daily, yet workplace safety is neglected,” he added, warning of stricter action if demands are not met within 24 hours.

As part of their programme, the interns staged a sit-in yesterday and announced a one-hour human chain and press briefing at 9:00am today.

RMCH spokesperson Dr Shankar K Biswas said the hospital is trying to maintain services with senior doctors.

“We are facing challenges due to the interns’ absence,” he said, adding that discussions are ongoing to resolve the situation.