Chattogram Medical College Hospital remained crippled on Thursday as intern doctors continued their strike, leaving thousands of patients without treatment.
The disruption has severely impacted elderly and emergency patients seeking care at the outpatient department.
The strike, ongoing for several days, has disrupted medical services at CMCH and private hospitals in Chattogram. The protesting doctors have announced that the strike would continue until 8:00am Friday.
In the afternoon, patients were seen sitting helplessly at the outpatient department. Many from distant areas, unaware of the strike, found themselves stranded. Some stood in long queues hoping to see a doctor but eventually left in disappointment. A few desperate patients turned to the emergency department, which struggled to manage the influx with a limited number of on-duty doctors.
Mohammad Hanif, a 65-year-old patient from Fatikchhari, waited for over two hours but was unable to see a doctor. His son, Mehedi Hasan, expressed frustration, saying, 鈥楳y father has blurry vision, excessive tearing, diabetes, and high blood pressure. We arrived in the morning for a check-up, but it鈥檚 already past noon, and no doctor is available. Had we known about the strike, we wouldn鈥檛 have come all this way.鈥�
Hasina Begum, an eight-month-pregnant woman, was seen crying outside the hospital wards. 鈥業 have been experiencing severe pain since yesterday [Wednesday]. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was told no doctors are available. The nurses advised me to go to the emergency department if my condition worsens. But I need regular check-ups鈥攚here do I go for that?鈥� she asked.
Like Hanif and Hasina, hundreds of patients have been affected, with many forced to return home without treatment. While emergency services continue, outpatient facilities have nearly shut down, causing widespread distress.
Sakib Hossain, a fifth-year student at Chattogram Medical College, said that they were protesting for rightful demands. 鈥極ne of our demands was met yesterday [Wednesday], but four others remain unaddressed by the ministry of health. We do not want the public to suffer, but this is beyond our control.鈥�
Intern doctor Fahmida Khanom said that they were only treating life-threatening cases right then. 鈥楾his strike is not for personal gain but to uphold the professional dignity of doctors.鈥�
CMCH director Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin said that their emergency services were operational. However, outpatient services had been severely affected.
鈥榃e are making every effort to minimise patient suffering. Serious cases are being redirected to the emergency department,鈥� he added.