Trainee doctors block Shahbagh, demand stipend increase

A group of postgraduate trainee doctors who have passed the first phase of the FCPS program under the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) staged a protest at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Sunday, demanding an increase in their stipend.

The demonstration, which began at 11:30 am, continued for over three hours, with the protesters refusing to clear the road until their demands are met.

As of 2:30 pm, the doctors were seen occupying the Shahbagh intersection, allowing only ambulances to pass through. The blockade caused severe disruption to commuters, halting traffic between Science Lab and Shahbagh, Farmgate and Shahbagh, Matsya Bhaban and Shahbagh, as well as Dhaka University and Shahbagh. Many vehicles were forced to turn back near the intersection.

Dr. Md. Imran from Dhaka Medical College said, “We are given a stipend of Tk 25,000. How can one manage with this amount in today’s economic climate? Did we make a mistake by becoming doctors? After much demand, our stipend was increased from Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000, but we are now asking for Tk 50,000, which is a reasonable demand. We have been protesting for a long time to achieve this.”

Nasir Uddin, a pedestrian at the scene, commented, “Traffic is blocked, and we are forced to walk. It’s extremely inconvenient. Doctors serve us, so why should they have to take to the streets for their demands? The government should address these issues to prevent such public suffering.”

The protesting doctors chanted slogans such as “Unity, unity, doctors’ unity,” “No place for discrimination in 2024’s Bangladesh,” “We demand a stipend of Tk 50,000,” “Hasina’s agents, beware,” and “Action to action, doctors in action.”

Additional police personnel were deployed at Shahbagh to maintain order during the protest.