Staff Reporter:
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.
He made the remarks while speaking at a human chain rally yesterday organized by Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital, demanding safety and secure work-ing environment for doctors and healthcare workers, as well as exemplary punishment for those involved in attacks on medical professionals, including Dr Nasir Islam in Shariatpur and similar incidents across the country.
Donar said hospitals in Bangladesh have long been facing severe shortages of manpower and infrastruc-ture compared to patient load.
Citing the example of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he said though it has around 1,700 beds, the number of patients often rises to 4,000-5,000. “In many cases, two or even three patients are placed on a single bed. Despite this, doctors continue to work. It is nothing short of a miracle,” he said.
In one case, a doctor sustained serious head injuries and a fractured hand and is currently in critical con-dition, he said, referring to the attack on Dr Nasir Islam in Shariatpur Sadar Hospital.
The ZRF Executive Director urged the government to enact laws for the protection of both doctors and patients. “There should also be clear provisions defining accountability if a doctor is negligent.”
He warned that continued insecurity could discourage young people from entering the medical profes-sion or push trained doctors abroad.
Donar also praised recent government actions, saying authorities promptly arranged a helicopter to transport an injured doctor to Dhaka.
He 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.
Relatives assaulted a doctor and vandalized the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital early Saturday following the death of a patient undergoing treatment there.
