Attacks on doctors are planned and deliberate: Dr Rafiqul Islam

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Health Affairs Secretary Professor Dr Md Rafiqul Islam has expressed deep concern over a series of attacks and incidents of harassment targeting doctors across the country, alleging that physicians are being subjected to planned attacks.

He warned that the incidents were creating a sense of insecurity among doctors and could trigger a crisis of trust between medical professionals and patients.

He made the remarks on Saturday (22 August) at a human chain organised by the BCS (Health) Cadre Specialist Doctors Forum under the banner of “Protesting the continued harassment of doctors across the country”.

Prof Rafiqul said Prof Dr Asad, a renowned physician and head of the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, had been deliberately targeted.

“Prof Dr Asad is a renowned physician. He is the head of the ENT department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. If you watch the video of the attack on him, it is clear that his CNG-powered auto-rickshaw was deliberately stopped before he was attacked. There is no scope to treat this as an isolated incident,” he said.

He added that another doctor, identified as Dr Hasib, had been rescued from Purbachal just two days earlier with his hands and feet tied.

“Such attacks and harassment of doctors are extremely concerning,” Prof Rafiqul said.

Referring to the current government, he said the attacks on doctors appeared to be deliberate and should be investigated to determine whether they were part of a broader plan.

“At a time when a democratic government is continuing in office and carrying out public-oriented activities as an accountable government, incidents of covert attacks on doctors are taking place. It needs to be investigated whether these incidents are intentional,” he said.

Prof Rafiqul warned that continued attacks on doctors and concerns over their safety could have adverse consequences for the country’s healthcare system and economy.

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“Attacks on doctors and the resulting insecurity could create a crisis of trust between doctors and patients. Neighbouring countries are offering various incentives to attract Bangladeshi patients for medical treatment. If this situation continues, a large number of patients may travel to neighbouring countries for treatment. This would also be harmful to Bangladesh’s economy,” he said.

He also called for an investigation into whether any third party was attempting to benefit from undermining trust between Bangladeshi doctors and patients.

“It must be investigated whether there is an attempt to benefit a third party by creating a crisis of trust between doctors and patients in Bangladesh, and whether there is any planned conspiracy behind these incidents,” he said.

Speakers at the human chain demanded that security be ensured for doctors both inside and outside their workplaces, that attacks on physicians be investigated promptly and those responsible receive exemplary punishment, and that harassment of doctors be stopped.

Among those attending were Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Secretary General Dr Zahirul Islam Shakil, Dhaka Medical College Vice-Principal Dr Musarrat Sultana Sumi, BCS (Health) Cadre Specialist Forum Convener Dr Mirza Asaduzzaman, Member Secretary Dr Al Amin, Central Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Dr Badsha, Dr Manzur, Dhaka Medical College Chhatra Dal Convener Dr Raihan and Member Secretary Dr Meshkat, along with doctors and medical students from various medical colleges and hospitals across the country.