Clashes Erupt at Dhaka Medical College Between Doctors and Staff Over Administrative Officer Transfer, Director Confined

A violent clash broke out between doctors and employees at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday, August 11, centered around the transfer and joining of an administrative officer. The escalating tensions culminated in protesting factions confining the DMCH director within his administrative office.

The dispute stems from a July 28 health directorate order transferring DMCH administrative officer Md. Rezaul Islam to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and posting Mymensingh's administrative officer Mohammad Mozammel Haque to Dhaka. While Mozammel Haque arrived to assume office, his joining papers were reportedly rejected by the hospital administration as Rezaul Islam continued to perform his duties.

This triggered a polarized divide among hospital staff and physicians, with a faction of doctors aligned with the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), led by Dr. Javed, pushing for Mozammel Haque's installation. Conversely, opposing factions strongly resisted his entry, creating a prolonged standoff within the hospital's administrative block.

Tensions boiled over into a physical altercation on Tuesday, leaving an employee named Md. Hanif Bhuiyan injured amidst the chaos. A section of hospital employees rallied in support of the director, while Dr. Javed’s faction surrounded and blockaded the director's room.

According to hospital sources, the director had previously informed Mozammel Haque that a formal report regarding retaining Rezaul Islam at DMCH was sent to the Directorate General's office pending a final decision. Meanwhile, unverified reports indicate that Md. Rezaul Islam's initial transfer order has since been canceled.