Cox’s Bazar doctors return to work following assurance of safety

Healthcare services in Cox’s Bazar have resumed today (15 September) following assurances from the administration regarding the safety of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff.

The district administration also promised the protesting doctors to arrest those responsible for recent attacks on doctors.

Around 3:00pm today, the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital ended their strike and resumed duties. 

Similarly, doctors in private hospitals have also resumed their patient consultations in their private chambers, confirmed Dr Ashek-ur-Rahman, resident medical officer of the Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital. 

He said a meeting was held today between the district commissioner, superintendent of police, civil surgeon, hospital authorities, and representatives of protesting doctors and nurses.

The district commissioner and the superintendent of police assured that all necessary measures would be taken to provide maximum security to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital and its doctors and nurses, he added. 

They also promised to promptly arrest those responsible for the assault on the duty doctor in the CCU on the night of 10 September. 

Following the meeting, doctors called off their strike and resumed healthcare services.

Dr Ashek-ur-Rahman added, “Doctors are committed to providing the best possible care to patients. We never want to see a patient die, but it can be challenging to save those with severe conditions. In these situations, the sincere cooperation of patients and their families is needed.”

Earlier, on 10 September at around 1:30am, a patient named Abdul Aziz from Nuniarchara in Cox’s Bazar passed away in the CCU. His relatives claimed that he died shortly after receiving a painkiller injection, accusing the hospital of negligence. Enraged family members started protesting inside the hospital and eventually assaulted the duty doctor, Dr Sajib Kazi, and vandalised the facility.

Doctors went on a strike the next day to protest the assault. 

Afterwards, a case was filed by the injured doctor, and two individuals were also arrested by the police.