Doctors asked not to work as trade union activists

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim asked doctors not to work like a trade union activist as medical profession is a noble service. “BMA (Bangladesh Medical Association) is not a trade union. First of all doctors have to serve patients. One minute of their work suspension may cause an immense loss”.
The Minister said these while addressing at a press briefing at secretariat on Monday noon.
Referring to the strike of doctors in Rajshahi he said, “They (doctors) could protest in other way, they should not stop providing treatment to the patients.”
He said that the existing law under the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) regulating practicing physicians would be updated to make the doctors more accountable.
“The government is thinking of incorporating a new provision of investigation and punishment under the law of BMDC,” he added. “It has become a regular phenomenon to vandalize hospitals and doctors’ chambers if any patient dies due to wrong treatment, which is not expected, as mistakes can be happening in other professions too, said the Health Minister.
He asked the medical leaders to be more dutiful to solve such problems immediately so that there would be no chance to have a break from work.
Seven organizations including Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) units of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) and Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad on Thursday announced the strike demanding release of Dr Samiul Haque Shimul, owner of Dolphin Clinic from jail.
On Thursday, a court sent Dr Haque to jail after rejecting his bail petition in a case for the death of a patient at his clinic.
Later, he was released on bail on Sunday.