Intern doctors suspend protest

Intern and postgraduate doctors have suspended their ongoing work abstention, ward boycott, and class boycott programmes after receiving assurances from health authorities that their key demands will be addressed within seven working days.

The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the doctors and senior health officials, according to a joint statement issued and shared by the health ministry.

The meeting, held at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) headquarters in Dhaka’s Mohakhali area, was attended by Health Secretary Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, DGHS Director General Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas, and DGME Director General Prof Nazmul Hossain.

The doctors had continued their demonstrations for a second consecutive day to press home their seven-point demand.

Under the agreed decisions, all private postgraduate trainees who pass the FCPS Part-I or MD/MS Phase-I examinations will be eligible for monthly stipends.

The government also agreed in principle to increase stipends for intern and postgraduate doctors in line with the upcoming national pay scale implementation strategy.

It was further decided that the proposed Health Protection Act would be formulated through consultations with relevant stakeholders following due process.

Authorities also agreed to recommend reconsidering the age limit for entry into the BCS health cadre.
In addition, examination fees for the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) and Bangladesh Medical University will be reviewed and adjusted to a more reasonable level, with support from the health ministry.

The meeting also decided to initiate discussions on establishing a dignified entry-level salary structure for doctors working in private hospitals, clinics, and medical colleges.

Following these assurances, the protesting doctors agreed to suspend their movement temporarily.