UNB, Dhaka

A group of doctors, medical technologists, and nurses has demanded the removal of several high-ranking health officials from the previous government, including Professor Dr. Robed Amin, the current Director General of Directorate General of Health Services.

They came with the demand under the banner of ‘Doctors, medical technologists, and nurses who fell victim to discrimination’ at a press conference held  on Tuesday at DGHS in Mohakhali,

The group presented an eight-point demand to the government, accusing the Ministry of Health and the DGHS of inactivity due to the rehabilitation of former autocrats’ accomplices who opposed the anti-discrimination student movement.

They also alleged that these officials are engaged in discrimination and harassment against those who suffered during the recent mass uprisings.

They said the student-led uprising in July-August saw significant contributions from various sectors of the medical field. The movement resulted in the martyrdom of Dr. Sajib Sorkar and injuries to numerous medical professionals and students.

They criticized the role of health officials such as Dr. Robed Amin, Dr. Harunur Rashid, Dr. Najmul Islam Munna, and Dr. Samiul Islam Sadiq.

They alleged that these officials obstructed medical care for the injured, concealed the number of deaths, and facilitated the burial of deceased students as unclaimed bodies. Despite these allegations, they said that these officials have retained or regained important positions under the new government.

They mentioned grievances related to the previous government’s 16-year tenure, highlighting various forms of deprivation and harassment experienced during the movement.

Their 8-point demands include revoking the appointment orders of officials from the previous government who were involved in discrimination and opposed the student movements, creating a list of institutions that denied treatment to injured students and canceling their registrations with the BMDC and removing and legally addressing the conduct of doctors and officials who were involved in these activities.

Besides, accelerating promotions for doctors and employees who were subject to discrimination to ensure a fair and efficient health administration, appointing qualified teachers and doctors to combat corruption in medical institutions and publishing a white paper on corruption over the past 16 years and removing autocratic elements from medical colleges and other health institutions and appointing doctors who were victims of discrimination.

Immediate cancellation of unfair transfer orders and ensuring no future harassment through transfers, dissolving the current expert panel and forming a new one with representatives from the medical community who supported the student movements and ensuring fair appointments and promotions for officials, medical technologists, and service providers who were deprived of their rights were among the demands.