Nurses stage protest demanding removal of non-nurse admin officials

Nurses at Kurmitola General Hospital staged a flag procession today (17 September) demanding the removal of non-nurse administrative officials from key positions in the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery and the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

They called for the appointment of highly educated, skilled, and experienced nurses to the roles of director general, director, president, and registrar in these organisations. The protest was organised under the banner of the Nursing and Midwifery Reform Council.

During the rally, held at noon, speakers issued strong warnings, urging authorities to fulfill their single demand.

The protesting nurses expressed their frustration, pointing out that despite previous assurances, a non-nurse administrative officer was once again appointed to the registrar position on 12 September, further escalating their discontent.

In addition to the demonstration at Kurmitola General Hospital, nurses across the country held human chains at various public and private hospitals and nursing education institutes.

Observers have raised concerns that if this movement persists, it could severely disrupt the country’s healthcare system. The shortage of nurses may lead to a significant decline in patient care, potentially causing a major crisis in the health sector.

Speeches were delivered after the flag procession at Kurmitola General Hospital by Runa Akter and Sonia Das from the Nursing and Midwifery Reform Council, along with nursing students Mahfuzar Rahman from Saic Nursing College and Dolly Akter from Zahir-Meherun College in Patuakhali.

The nurses’ movement began on September 9 following remarks made by the Director General of the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery, Maksura Noor, on September 8. She reportedly criticized former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to grant nurses second-class status, referring to it as a “mistake,” sparking widespread outrage among the nursing community.