Dhaka: BNP Chairman’s Adviser and Executive Director of Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), Dr Farhad Halim Donar, on Monday expressed concern over repeated attacks on doctors and demanded the enactment of laws to protect both doctors and patients.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr Donar made these remarks at a human chain event organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) in front of the Jatiya Press Club. The gathering aimed to call for a safe and secure working environment for healthcare professionals and sought exemplary punishment for those involved in attacks on medical staff, including incidents like the recent assault on Dr Nasir Islam in Shariatpur.
Dr Donar highlighted the chronic shortages of manpower and infrastructure in Bangladeshi hospitals compared to patient load, using Dhaka Medical College Hospital as an example. Despite having around 1,700 beds, the hospital often accommodates 4,000-5,000 patients, with multiple patients sharing a single bed. He commended the healthcare w
orkers for their dedication, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many stayed away from their families to continue treating patients.
The physician expressed alarm over the recent surge in attacks on doctors, noting 28 incidents of varying severity in the past month. He specifically mentioned the case of Dr Nasir Islam, who sustained severe injuries in an attack at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital.
Dr Donar urged the government to enact protective laws for both doctors and patients, emphasizing the need for clear accountability in cases of medical negligence. He warned that ongoing insecurity could deter young individuals from pursuing medical careers or lead to an exodus of trained doctors from the country. He also commended the government for its timely response in arranging a helicopter to transport an injured doctor to Dhaka and urged the media to verify information before publishing reports on such incidents.
DAB leaders and BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam were present at the event, whi
ch also addressed a recent incident where relatives assaulted a doctor and vandalised the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital following a patient’s death.