Doctors, staff skip work at eye hospital, patients suffer

Doctors, staff, and employees of the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIOH) in the capital have launched a work stoppage to protest assaults on them by patients' relatives.

The protest began on Wednesday morning (28 May) in front of the hospital, causing significant disruptions for patients seeking treatment.

Nure Alam Babu, a staff member, told Jago News, "We initiated this work stoppage today to demand workplace safety. Yesterday, our director was assaulted, staff members were attacked, and the director’s office was vandalised. Whenever tensions rise, some groups resort to violence. This is unacceptable. There must be rules to ensure safety."

The work stoppage has halted scheduled surgeries, and no staff are available to issue tickets at the outpatient department, leaving long queues of patients waiting outside consultation rooms.

Only the emergency department remains operational. Babul Mia, a patient whose surgery was scheduled for today, expressed frustration alongside his relatives at the hospital.

Scuffles reportedly broke out this morning between service seekers and hospital staff.

The unrest stems from a recent incident involving four patients injured during the July mass uprising.

These patients allegedly attempted suicide by poisoning within the hospital premises, leading to verbal disputes, physical assaults, and vandalism targeting the hospital director, doctors, and staff.

Hospital director Professor Khair Ahmed Choudhury, speaking to Jago News, said, "The staff are upset due to yesterday’s unfortunate incident, which triggered the work stoppage. I am currently on leave, and another official has been assigned to manage in my absence."

Regarding the incident, he explained, "Yesterday, the July uprising patients came to my office and began arguing among themselves. A physical altercation followed, and someone brought petrol. I’m unsure if they intended to commit suicide or set the hospital on fire. There are deep divisions among them. One faction held me captive in my office for two hours until another group provided security and escorted me out."