Protests, sit-ins turn healthcare services a fiasco

Country's health sector is reeling on an uncertain path due to the onging political shift. Especially in government hospitals, medical services are being disrupted due to administrative disorder. Disgruntled officials and employees are gathering in front of the hospitals with various demands almost every day. Due to the unstable situation, general doctors are also afraid to join their offices at different hospitals. Many are being harassed at work and as a result, medical services are disrupted to an worrisome extent.

After the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, the health sector has tumbled and is going through a grim situation, amid ongoing protests and sit-ins. All types of work procedures have been suspended in the recent days due to these protests demanding massive reshuffle in different administrative positions. Dozens of officials and staff members holding important policymaking positions have been absent due to security concerns, while a few of them were reportedly barred entering their workplaces.

Views Bangladesh has made a detailed story on this crisis and will release it in three parts.

Part 1

Political unrest paralyses Directorate General of Health Services

The Directorate General of Health Services has been considered as one of the most important agencies of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh. The main functions of this agency are--the implementation of different health programmes, health management, planning and execution of different policies through administration. In addition to this, the DGHS provides technical assistance to the ministry. This important department is in a limbo since last 15 days as the pro-Awami League officials are barred from entering their offices.

From August 7, dozens of organizations related with health sectors came up with the demand to reshuffle the administration. Protests demanding the removal of pro-Awami League doctors and staff members have been taking place everyday. Many healthcare professionals have been staging programmes there often during the office hours. Several officials, including the director general, were unable to enter the premises due to the obstructions.

On Aug 11, the BCS Health Cadre Association, an organisation of government doctors, held a sit-in programme in front of the DGHS office in Mohakhali with three-point demands.

On Aug 13, the doctors started a sit-in protest with two-point demands including the resignation of Director General ABM Khurshid Alam.

In face of massive protest, the contract-based appointment of Prof ABM Khurshid Alam as director general of the DGHS was terminated on August 17, and Prof Dr Mohammad Robed Amin, director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control Department, was appointed as the new director general the next day. However, the protesters continued their sit-in denouncing the appointment of the news DG.

On August 19, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum held a meeting at the Covid Dedicated Hospital regarding the treatment of those injured in the anti-discrimination student movement. Both the outgoing and the new DGs of the DGHS were present there along with other officials and staff members. At one stage of meeting, angry protesters rushed in the meeting room and staged violent demonstration in presence of the health adviser. During the time, one of the protesters rushed towards Akkas Ali, public relations officer of the DGHS, and assaulted him.

Amid these protests on August 22, the interim government made a significant move to reshuffle the Directorate General of Health Service and has transferred four senior officials, including two additional director generals-- Prof Dr Ahmedul Kabir additional director general (administration) of DGHS, who has been sent to the Institute of Public Health, or IPH, as its director and Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, additional director general (planning and development), has been reassigned as the director of the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, or NIPSOM.

However, even after assuming his role, Robed has been unable to access his office as BNP-affiliated doctors and staff members have still been demanding the resignations of the pro-AL officials, including Robed Amin, tagging them corrupt.

Security concern

Visiting the DGHS on August 22, Views Bangladesh found that the protesters have taken position on the staircase at main entrance of the DGHS and were chanting different slogans. Doctors and staff members from various hospitals, including those from outside Dhaka, were present at the protest under the banners of different organisations. Most of the organisations are newly formed.

Talking with the protesters, Views Bangladesh learned that most of them are not yet sure why they are demanding the reshuffle. Views Bangladesh tried to quote several participants but they wished not to be identified.

Visiting inside, it was found that most officials were absent, including directors, programme managers, and deputy programme managers.

A staff member said the officials are not joining their works due to security reasons. Those who are visiting office, are staging demonstrations instead of performing regular duty.

Wishing anonymity, a high official of the DGHS told Views Bangladesh: "We cannot join offices since last 15 days due to security concern as some of our colleagues were assaulted by the protesters. We admit that a few officials are corrupt but as a whole all pro-Awami League officials are not criminals. Many of them are performing their duties with honesty. If the government finds any irregularities against any officials, it can take action. But, harassment of government officials inside their workplace is disappointing."

"The Directorate General of Health Services plays the most important role in keeping the health services operational across the country. In a sence, the present situation put the health sector in a limbo. So, we expect the government to take prompt action in this regard," he added.

Regarding the overall scenario, President of the Health Rights Movement Prof. Dr. Rashid-e-Mahbub told Views Bangladesh that these are long-standing problems in the health sector. "To come out of this, we have to come out of the practice of placing party people in the top posts. The present crisis must be addressed in a short time."

"If the issue is not resolved permanently then such crisis will continue," he added.

Views Bangladesh tried to contact several top officials of the DGHS, including its DG Robed Amin, to get a detailed scenario. However, none of them were available to talk.