Doctors' strike, academic shutdown at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical after assault on intern

Healthcare services at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital were disrupted on Wednesday (July 8) after intern doctors launched an indefinite work stoppage and medical students declared an academic shutdown, protesting the alleged assault on a duty doctor inside the hospital's emergency department.

The unrest followed a late-night clash between intern doctors, medical students and relatives of a patient, leaving at least six people injured, including two intern physicians.

According to hospital sources and witnesses, the incident began shortly after 12:30am when the relatives of a child brought the patient to the emergency department. A verbal altercation reportedly broke out between the attendants and an intern doctor on duty before escalating into a physical confrontation.

Medical students alleged that the patient's relatives later returned with additional people and assaulted the intern doctor. The situation intensified when fellow interns and students rushed to the scene, triggering repeated clashes inside and outside the emergency department between approximately 12:45am and 1:30am.

Among those injured were intern doctors Taspianul Haque and Reza Niloy, along with several patient attendants and a fourth-year medical student. Hospital officials said one of the injured intern doctors sustained serious injuries, while another remains under medical observation.

The violence created panic in the hospital's emergency unit, disrupting treatment services for patients arriving during the incident.

Police from Kotwali Police Station responded to the scene and worked with hospital authorities to bring the situation under control. Officers remained at the hospital until the early hours of Wednesday as tensions gradually eased.

In separate statements issued overnight, the Intern Doctors' Forum and general students of the medical college condemned the alleged attack, calling it a direct assault on the country's healthcare system and demanding immediate action against those responsible.

The protesting doctors demanded:

Immediate identification and arrest of those involved.
Exemplary punishment for the attackers.
Stronger security for doctors and healthcare workers.
Effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Intern Doctors' Forum announced an indefinite work stoppage until their demands are met and a safe working environment is ensured.

Meanwhile, students of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College declared an indefinite academic shutdown, saying classes and academic activities would remain suspended until adequate security measures are put in place for healthcare professionals and students.

Authorities have yet to announce any formal resolution as investigations into the incident continue.