VC misbehaved with us, allege BSMMU post graduate physicians

The agitating non-government post graduate physicians of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) alleged that that some of their fellows were harassed by the vice chancellor when they went to meet him at his office today.

The protesters alleged that five physicians were harassed by VC Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed and other high-ups when they met him at his office this afternoon and placed a demand for a hike in their allowance.

On Thursday, the physicians at a press conference demanded an increase in their monthly stipend from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000, terming the current salary "insufficient". They also demanded their arrears.

They also issued an ultimatum to go for a work abstention from today if their demand is not met.

"We went to meet the VC in his office to discuss our demand. But he and other physicians, around 30-40 of them, threatened five of our fellows. We had to leave his office without any solution," Dr Habibur Rahman Suhag, a non-government resident surgeon at Chattogram Medical College and a spokesperson of the protesters, told The Daily Star.

"We will go for work abstention from Thursday (June 15) if our demand is not met by tomorrow," he said.

A video footage released by the BSMMU VC office, meanwhile, showed that Prof Sharfuddin was briefing the media on the situation.

He alleged that the agitating physicians came to him without maintaining any protocol. "They did not even submit their demand in written."

"They are like my children. I will pay them exactly what I get from the government," the VC was seen saying in the video footage.

He stated that there was no fund from the health ministry for the non-government post-graduate physicians. "Then how can I pay their arrears?" he said.

About the demand for increasing allowance, he said, "I have talked to the health secretary. He has assured that their demand will be taken into consideration. I informed them about the development, but they wanted to meet me in-person."

After the incident, the physicians left the VC office around 4:00pm.

Post-graduate trainee physicians are medical school graduates who pursue further specialised training in a specific medical field for 2-5 years to achieve higher degrees.

Their role is to provide direct patient care under the supervision of attending physicians, gain practical experience and refine their clinical skills.

According to the organisers, there are around 8,500 non-government post-graduate trainee physicians in all medical colleges, universities and specialised institutes in the country.

They are not allowed to engage in private practice and are supposed to be on duty round-the-clock.