On the 14th day of protests demanding reforms to the healthcare sector, students and locals in Barishal issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the health adviser on Sunday, warning that if their demands were not met within 24 hours, a nationwide protest programme would be launched.
The protesters made the announcement at 4:30pm during a press conference in Nathullabad.
Expressing solidarity with the students, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim joined the movement.
Some leaders of the National Citizen Party also joined the movement.
Mohiuddin Roni, organiser of the protests, clarified the demands, saying, "Patients at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital [in Barishal] are enduring indescribable suffering. Additionally, infrastructural development is needed in all government hospitals across the country.
"To ensure good treatment for citizens, modern equipment and medicines must be provided to government hospitals. To prevent corruption, administrative efficiency must be increased in all hospitals in the country, including at the Ministry of Health. Politics of party-based doctors must be banned, digital automation and a transparent and accountable task force must be formed."
Earlier, protesters under the banner of "Chhatra Janata" took position on the Dhaka-Barishal highway around 11:00am in the city's Nathullabad area, blocking traffic movement for the fourth day.
After they were asked to leave the road in the afternoon to reduce public suffering, the protesters engaged in a scuffle with army and police personnel.
However, law enforcers were unable to remove the protesters. They only left after issuing their ultimatum around 4:30pm.
Protester Sabbir Hossain said, "They did not want to let us sit in Nathullabad. The army and police got into a scuffle with us. Ignoring their obstruction, we continued the blockade. Our new programme has been announced. If the demands are not accepted within 24 hours, this movement will spread across the country."
Roni added, "We demand that the Health Sector Reform Commission, after hearing the suffering of the people, take strong steps to make recommendations, decisions and implement them after an investigation.
"Despite the fact that we have been agitating for a long time, the higher-ups are not paying any attention. Therefore, the health adviser should personally come to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital within the next 24 hours, investigate the irregularities and corruption and give a clear assurance of quick reforms."
Otherwise, the movement will continue in greater force, he cautioned.
Public Relations Officer J Khan Swapan said Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Director MA Masud would address a press conference at the hospital auditorium at 11:00am on Monday.
Barisal Metropolitan Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zakir Hossain Sikder said the protesters called off the blockade after issuing an ultimatum and that traffic movement had returned to normal.
On Saturday, bus workers clashed with the protesters.
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