Protests, sit-ins turn healthcare services a fiasco (Part-3)

After the fall of Awami league regime and continuous movement of doctors and staffs, an extreme deadlock in the health sector of the country has been created. Although this movement initially focused on the ministry, it gradually spread to government hospitals. It has forced heads and top officials of many government healthcare facilities and institutes to resign or remain absent, leaving the entire sector in disarray, and ultimately causing patient suffering.

Views Bangladesh has prepared a series of three-part report on the crisis in this sector.

The third part is being published on Sunday.

How ministry is coping with

According to Ministry of Health sources, the ministry is setting a 100-day strategy to fix the 'broken' health sector. Although 28 days have passed, no visible change can be seen at the sector. Most of the officials and employees of the Health Department are still absent at work.

On the other hand, pro-BNP doctors' organization Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) has demanded seven points, including canceling the appointment of the director general of the health department.

They said they are not in favor of halting politics in medical colleges and hospitals and are ready to provide all kind of assistance to the Health Advisor.

It is learned that in addition to vandalizing several institutions including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), National Institute of Mental Health, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute & Hospital, health offices, doctors as well as nurses and third-fourth class employees took part in procession and vandalism.

Meanwhile, many officials of the health department are still absent at work due to security concerns. One such official told View Bangladesh that, I am not going to work because of security risk. Meanwhile the government has taken several initiatives to bring officials and employees back to work. But the situation is not normal yet. In such situation, health department is considering about starting all the activities of sector with the help of the army if needed.

An official involved in the reform activities said that there is a negative perception among many people related to the sector that; those who served earlier are still holding their posts. Many officials want all the officials who have served for the last 15 years should be removed and reformed. But it is not possible in any way. He further stated that the government is one thing and the party is a different thing. But in many cases the two are conflated. This is a reason a big problem has been created.
Those working in this sector are finding it difficult to make the health institutions service oriented due to the influence of party politics and allegations of deprivation. A senior official of the health care department, who remained anonymous, said that many people are aware of those who are competent and honest people. These people should be given priority. Priority should be given to the capable and deprived people. To bring back political transparency and to uplift the quality of the health sector, people of two parties should be given equal priorities.

Meanwhile, DAB held a press conference at the National Press Club on Saturday. At the occasion, they pinpointed seven-point demand including removal of Director General of the Department of Health Dr. Prof. Dr. Robed Amin. A warning has been issued that if the demands are not met, the movement will be more widespread in the future.
The demands of the leaders of the organization is that, those who held important positions in health departments and other health institutions during the Awami League government, including Dr. Robed Amin should be removed. Besides, the registration of BMDC should be canceled by listing those who refused to treat the injured students, all the doctors and officials who participated in the peace rally during Awami League regime should be dismissed from their posts and appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken against them.
DAB President Dr. Harun Al Rashid informed View Bangladesh that, our movement is ongoing to protest against the discrimination and harassment of doctors and officials in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and rehabilitation of pro Awami League officials in the Department of Health."
Professor Dr. Harun Al Rashid said, "We are ready to help the interim government." We do not want the resignation of the health advisor for that. If anyone takes a stand for dictatorship we will step up against him. We believe that the government will accept our demands and carry out peaceful and complete reforms in the health sector.

Even though the government has said that the official activities will be held strictly from Sunday, a senior official of the Department of Health said that it has become a concern to work with dignity. So I will decide whether to work or not depending on the situation.

MA Akmal Hossain Azad, senior secretary of the health care department, said, "According to the information, health-related educational institutions have collapsed. It will take time to fix the whole system. We have to give time.
He further stated that, "If we don't get cooperation from those who are still there due to political reasons, I will tell the appointing authorities that I am having difficulty." If 100% of people do not cooperate with me, then I am not fit to sit here. Everyone does politics or was forced to do politics, it is not right.

Akmal Hossain Azad said that they are working in coordination with everyone. A three-member committee headed by an additional secretary including a joint secretary has been formed to look into the issues of 'deprived' officers and doctors. They are looking at the applications that are there for promotion and good postings.

Part- 1 https://viewsbangladesh.com/en/protests-sitins-turn-healthcare-services-a-fiasco/

part- 2 https://viewsbangladesh.com/en/protests-sitins-turn-healthcare-services-a-fiasco-part2/