CMCH interns abstain from work over scuffle with patient's attendant

Patients of different wards of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) suffered over 13 hours as interns of the hospital observed work abstention protesting what they claimed was an attack on one of their colleagues by an attendant of a patient.

Intern Doctors Association (IDA) also formed a human chain on the hospital premises yesterday demanding punishment for the perpetrator, increase of security at the wards, and a safe environment for interns and doctors.  

The interns began their protest around 11:00pm Monday and called it off around 12:30pm yesterday after the authorities assured them of taking necessary action against the perpetrator.

Visiting different wards yesterday morning, this correspondent found no interns attending patients at the hospital.

Md Yasin, a patient in the cardiology ward, said usually interns come around 9:00am to check up on them, but nobody came till 11:45am.

At the human chain, Mortuza Morshed Bintu, convener of IDA, CMCH alleged that Zakir Hossain, deputy manager (Cash) of Bangladesh Bank, slapped intern Aklima Afsana Sumu at Coronary Care Unit of the cardiology ward on Monday evening when she asked him to leave the CCU with his companions.

According to witnesses, an altercation broke out between a man and a female intern at CCU. At a stage, the intern slapped the man who retaliated by slapping her back.        

They added that afterwards, other interns rushed to the spot and removed the man and his companions.

An official of Bangladesh Bank said Zakir went to see his neighbour Nazrul at the hospital.

The official claimed Zakir told him he asked the interns there why Nazrul was neglected and the interns misbehaved with him.

Mohiuddin Mahmud, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish Police Station, said after primary investigation, police found that the female intern slapped Zakir first and then he slapped her  back. He said they received no complaints yet.  

The Daily Star could not contact Zakir despite repeated attempts.