A six-member investigation committee has been constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the violent clash between doctors and students of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and the University of Dhaka, hospital authorities confirmed on Wednesday night.
The decision was taken at a high-level emergency meeting held at around 7:45 pm following the day’s unrest in the hospital’s emergency department. The announcement was made by DMCH Director Brigadier General Dr Md Asaduzzaman, who said the committee had been tasked with identifying those responsible for the incident and submitting its findings within a very tight deadline.
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Investigation Committee Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Total members | 6 |
| Head of committee | Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Dhaka |
| Lead institution | University of Dhaka Medical Faculty |
| Reporting deadline | Saturday, 11 April (morning) |
| Purpose | Investigation of DMCH–DU student clash and identification of responsible parties |
According to the hospital director, the committee will be responsible for conducting a rapid inquiry into the sequence of events that led to the confrontation between medical staff and university students. He emphasised that the formation of the panel was intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and a prompt resolution to the escalating tensions.
Speaking to the media, Brig Gen Dr Md Asaduzzaman stated that the inquiry body has been directed to submit its report by Saturday morning without delay. He added that swift administrative action would be taken based on the findings.
How the Incident Began
The clash reportedly originated earlier on Wednesday afternoon in the emergency department of DMCH. A student of the Botany Department (2023–24 academic session) at the University of Dhaka, identified as Sanim, was admitted with severe abdominal pain suspected to be acute appendicitis.
Following medical assessment, attending physicians prescribed three injectable medications considered necessary for immediate treatment. However, complications arose when the prescribed drugs were not available within the hospital pharmacy, forcing attendants to search for them externally.
Despite efforts, the medicines could not be located at nearby pharmacies, where shortages were also reported. The situation soon escalated into frustration and miscommunication between the patient’s companions and on-duty medical staff, eventually resulting in a physical altercation inside the emergency unit.
Police later intervened to restore order, bringing the situation under control after tensions escalated in the hospital premises.
Emergency Department Partially Restored
Following the late-night administrative meeting, hospital authorities confirmed that emergency services had resumed on a limited scale. However, the situation remains sensitive, with staff operating under heightened tension.
Meanwhile, the Interne Doctors’ Association of DMCH issued a warning, stating that a complete work stoppage could be enforced if visible progress is not made within 24 hours in the ongoing investigation. The organisation stressed that security and professional dignity of doctors must be ensured alongside patient safety.
Broader Concerns
The incident has highlighted deeper structural challenges within emergency healthcare delivery, particularly issues relating to medicine availability, communication gaps between medical staff and attendants, and pressure within high-volume public hospitals such as DMCH.
Authorities are now expected to review not only the specific incident but also systemic weaknesses in emergency procurement and patient management protocols, which may have contributed to the escalation of tensions.
The findings of the newly formed committee are expected to play a key role in determining accountability and guiding future reforms aimed at preventing similar confrontations in critical care settings