Khulna:Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in Khulna staged a protest and formed a human chain on Tuesday, demanding an immediate halt to extortion, terrorism, and attacks on healthcare institutions. The demonstration called for the arrest of those responsible for such activities in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the protest, organized under the banner of the Nationalist Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), Nurses, Health Officers, and Employees, took place in front of the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Bhaban near Dr Milon intersection in Khulna city at around 1130 am.
The protesters highlighted the increasing threats faced by hospitals, diagnostic centers, and healthcare workers, including extortion demands, attacks, and vandalism. They expressed concerns about the harassment of doctors and the fear experienced by nurses and other employees. The ongoing threats and attacks on medical institutions were said to be jeopardizing healthcare services and causing anxiety among patients and their families.
Speakers at the rally warned of more severe actions, such as a shutdown of healthcare services, if the law and order situation did not improve and the safety of healthcare professionals and institutions was not guaranteed. The rally was presided over by Dr. Abu Zafar Md Saleh Palash, the general secretary of the DAB Khulna Medical College unit. Other speakers included Dr. Mostafa Kamal, director of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Dr. Kazi Ahsan Habib, assistant director of Khulna Medical College, along with doctors Mehedi Hasan and Taz Islam, as well as nurses, officers, and employees from various healthcare institutions.