Intern Doctors Strike at Osmani Hospital after Two Journalists Beaten, Treatment Disrupted

Two journalists have been attacked by intern doctors at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital while gathering information and taking photographs about the beating of a patient's relatives. The two injured are Sylhet View 24 reporter Nibendu Talukdar and Shyamol Sylhet photojournalist Reza Rubel.

After the incident, the intern doctors began a work stoppage without arranging treatment for the two injured news workers. The hospital's treatment system completely collapsed, and hundreds of ordinary patients who had come from far away suffered severely. Many were seen leaving the hospital without treatment.

It was learned that on Wednesday an incident of beating a patient's relatives took place in a ward of Osmani Medical College Hospital. When the journalists went to gather information and take photographs about it, intern doctors attacked Nibendu Talukdar and Reza Rubel. They were hit on the head with a saline stand at the time.

Later, without arranging treatment for the two injured journalists, the intern doctors went on a work stoppage.

After the incident, repeated attempts were made to contact senior officials including the hospital's director and deputy director, but no response was received, it was learned.

Osmani Medical College Hospital deputy director Dr Badrul Alam said they had learned of the incident and were meeting the intern doctors to bring the situation under control. They would speak about the matter later, he said.

In protest at the attack on journalists, journalists held a sit-in programme late on Wednesday night (28 October) at Chowhatta Point in Sylhet city. Journalists working in various media and leaders of journalist organisations took part.

The journalists at the sit-in demanded that those involved in the attack be identified and legal action taken, the hospital's CCTV footage be examined, and journalists' safety be ensured.

During the sit-in at Chowhatta Point, former Sylhet District Press Club general secretary Shah Didar Alam Chowdhury Nobel said two colleagues were attacked while performing professional duties. They bled and needed stitches at the injury sites. If a fair investigation is not held and action is not taken against those responsible, public anger will grow further, he said.

Sylhet District Press Club general secretary Nasir Uddin Ahmad said attempts to contact the hospital director, deputy director and others concerned after the incident brought no response. They want a fair investigation and justice in this incident. Their protest will continue until an environment for journalists to perform professional duties safely is ensured, he said.