Foreign Interns Face Uncertain Future

The abrupt suspension of operations at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka, has triggered deep concern and uncertainty among its intern doctors, particularly foreign medical graduates whose training requirements are tightly bound to specific institutional affiliations.

For many of these interns, the closure has not merely disrupted daily clinical practice but has placed their entire professional trajectory at risk. Under the regulatory frameworks of their home countries, internship training must be completed at designated or affiliated teaching hospitals linked to their enrolled medical colleges. Any interruption or relocation outside the approved network can render their internship invalid, effectively jeopardising years of academic effort.

On Monday, a 20-member delegation comprising both local and international interns visited the Directorate General of Health Services and the Directorate General of Medical Education to seek clarity on their future. The delegation included students from India and the Maldives, among others. Initially, they attempted to meet the Director General of Health Services but were unable to do so due to his absence. They subsequently submitted a formal written appeal and held discussions with an assistant director, presenting a detailed account of their predicament.

The group later proceeded to the Directorate General of Medical Education, where they met Professor Dr Saki Md Zakirul Alam, Director (Medical Education), in the absence of the Director General. Despite lengthy discussions, the interns reported receiving no concrete assurance or immediate resolution, further intensifying their anxiety and frustration.

According to institutional sources, more than 30 foreign interns are currently undergoing training at the hospital, while the total number of both local and international interns exceeds 350. The sudden halt in hospital services has therefore affected a substantial cohort of young medical professionals.

Foreign interns emphasised that their training systems are strictly structured, leaving no flexibility for transfer to alternative hospitals. One intern described the situation as a “critical rupture” in their clinical continuity, warning that the disruption could have long-term consequences on their qualification and career progression.

Officials from the Directorate General of Medical Education stated that no formal comprehensive application had yet been received from the foreign interns. However, they assured that any submitted proposal would be reviewed in accordance with existing regulations and considered for appropriate administrative action.

The hospital’s operational suspension follows a series of administrative complications that began after the deaths of multiple newborns on 27 May. In response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formed an investigative committee, and subsequent regulatory scrutiny has contributed to the ongoing disruption of services.

A summary of the current situation is presented below:

Observers warn that unless a swift and clear policy decision is taken, the academic progression and professional futures of foreign interns could face prolonged uncertainty, with wider implications for international medical training cooperation and institutional credibility.