Intern doctors stage work abstention at Sylhet MAG Osmani Hospital

Intern doctors at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet have begun an indefinite work abstention to protest the assault on a female intern and other staff, demanding enhanced security and exemplary punishment for the attackers.

The strike, which started Saturday morning, is disrupting normal hospital services.

According to Deputy Director Mahbubur Alam, legal action is underway regarding the assault on the on-duty intern doctor.

Hospital sources said the incident took place around 11:30pm in Ward 4 on the fourth floor on Friday (January 16). Relatives of a patient, alleging medical negligence, verbally confronted nurses before resorting to vandalism and reportedly harassing a female intern doctor.

Hospital police detained three individuals involved in the attack: Shimul Ahmed, 35, and his wife Nazira Siddika, 32, from Chhatak, Sunamganj, and Jabed Mia, 30, from Daulatpur, Chhatak. All three were injured during the incident; the couple is receiving treatment at a private hospital in the city, while the third suspect remains under care at Osmani Hospital. Three ward boys were also reportedly injured.

In a statement released Friday night, the intern doctors described the assault as “shocking and deeply concerning” and demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible. They called for permanent measures to ensure the safety of interns and junior doctors, warning that the work stoppage will continue until security is guaranteed.

Mainul Zakir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station confirmed that the situation is currently under control and additional police have been deployed at the hospital.

"Legal action will follow if complaints are filed against the attackers," he said.