Sunday, April 28, 2024
Intern doctors called off their nationwide strike on Thursday following an assurance from Health and Family Welfare Minister Samanta Lal Sen.
The decision to suspend the strike was taken after a meeting with the health minister at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Thursday afternoon, reports UNB.
The state minister for health, the secretary of the health ministry, the vice-chancellors of medical universities, the principals of medical colleges, and the leaders of professional medical organisations also attended the meeting.
The interns had been demanding an increase in their allowance from Tk 15,000 to Tk 30,000, an annual increase of Tk 1,000, strengthening of security measures in hospitals, a risk allowance for doctors, and payment of allowance arrears.
Addressing the meeting, the health minister said that intern doctors are the lifeblood of a hospital.
He said that they work tirelessly to serve patients and that their demands are justified. He also said that he had spoken to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the intern doctors' demands, and she agreed to take a quick decision on the matter.
Samanta assured them that the prime minister was sympathetic to their cause and that she would take action soon.
The state minister for health, the health education secretary, and the leaders of professional medical organisations also spoke at the meeting.
