Opinion: Let us not repeat it

It appeared to be quite dramatic. Health Minister Mohammed Nasim suspended internship of four intern doctors on March 2, but withdrew it just after four days.

The penalty to the interns of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital (SZRMCH) in Bogra was announced following a probe that found evidence of their role in beating the relative of a patient twice at the hospital on February 19 over a trifling matter.

Why did the minister withdraw the penalty if the probe finds evidence of faults? Was there any weakness in the probe? If not, why did Nasim give in to the demand of the interns, who enforced a countrywide work abstention from March 3 to 6?

The plain answer that common people may find is that the government did not want to allow patients to suffer amid strikes by the interns, who play important role in the hospitals round the clock.

However, one may find another interesting angle.

Three of the four inters penalised belong to the Bangladesh Chhatra League unit of the medical college. Intern Al Mamun is president of SZRMCH BCL unit, Ashiquzzaman Asif is vice president, Kutubuddin is former president, and Noor Jahan Binte Islam Naz is pro-BCL.

On the other hand, Abdur Rouf, son of patient Alauddin Sarkar, 65, who was admitted in the hospital, hails from Sirajganj, the home district of health minister Nasim.

Interns alleged during the altercation with them, Rouf mentioned he comes from health minister’s area, an issue that might anger the interns linked to the ruling party-supported student body.

That both the parties have political clout, and one has more clout than the others, the interns could effectively enforce strike. Though Nasim initially remained strict to the penalty, he finally gave in during the meeting with the interns led by BCL President Saifur Rahman Sohag.

Pro-ruling party doctors' forum Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad President Dr Iqbal Arslan was also present in the meeting.

Health rights activist and Bangladesh Medical Association’s former president Professor Rashid E Mahbub terms the series of events a “game of power”, which goes against people’s interest.

If the interns were not linked to the BCL, they would not be able to mobilise the interns across the country for strike when a probe found evidence of their fault. Similarly, Minister Nasim would also not withdraw the penalty for the same reason.

Such events frustrate the justice-seeking common people, at least those who underwent sufferings during the four days in the hospitals amid absence of intern doctors.

Abdur Rouf’s sister Bina Khanam frustratingly said they seek justice to the Allah, not anyone else.

Such wish is never expected in a democratic country that believes in rule of law. If politicisation of profession takes upper hand, there will neither be an effective system to serve people nor will people have confidence in the government. Repeat of such events will put people in deep frustration, which can invite greater danger. Therefore, let us not repeat it.