Doctor Tells Health DG “Suspend Me” During Hospital Visit

A doctor became involved in a heated argument with the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services, Mohammad Abu Jafar, during his visit to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. The incident took place at around 10:30am on Saturday at the casualty operation theatre of the hospital’s emergency department.

The Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Bangladesh (APSB), in collaboration with the Department of Paediatric Surgery of Mymensingh Medical College, organised a seminar on the progress and challenges of ongoing treatment related to diseases of the urinary bladder and reproductive system in children.

The seminar was held at the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Auditorium of Mymensingh Medical College, where DG Mohammad Abu Jafar was scheduled to attend as the chief guest. Prior to joining the seminar, he conducted an inspection of the hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, during the inspection of the casualty operation theatre, the DG questioned doctors about the presence of a table inside the room. At that time, an argument broke out between him and the emergency department’s casualty in-charge, Dhandeb Barman, who explained that the table was kept for writing purposes.

The DG reportedly said, “Do you know who you are talking to? Be careful with your words,” and instructed those accompanying him to record a video. He further remarked, “If someone behaves like this with the DG, how do they behave with patients?” In response, the doctor attempted to explain his conduct.

The DG then said, “You have not learnt any behaviour,” to which the doctor responded, “I attended a three-day training in Dhaka. You were supposed to come for two days but did not come even for one day.” The exchange escalated, with the doctor repeatedly saying, “Suspend me, no problem.”

At that point, the Director of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Brigadier General Mohammad Golam Ferdous, and Deputy Director Jakirul Islam intervened to calm the situation.

After completing the hospital inspection, DG Mohammad Abu Jafar told journalists that all hospitals in Bangladesh are operating beyond their capacity. He said the number of hospitals and manpower needs to be increased, noting that at any given time around 15,000 patients across the country are forced to stay on the floor. He stated that infrastructural development requires time, but the interim government has a very limited tenure, making it a long-term issue.

Later, the DG attended the seminar on paediatric urinary and reproductive system diseases as the chief guest. Other speakers included Khulna Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ruhul Amin, Mymensingh Medical College Principal Mohammad Najmul Alam Khan, Hospital Director Brigadier General Mohammad Golam Ferdous, APSB General Secretary Nazrul Islam, Mymensingh divisional co–vice president Mohammad Mokarabin, among others.

Khaborwala/SS