Thousands of health assistants from across the country have gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to demand an amendment to recruitment rules, an end to salary discrimination, and the granting of technical status. Under the banner of the Bangladesh Health Assistant Association, the day-long peaceful sit-in programme commenced on Saturday morning (29 November), with participants arriving from all 64 districts. The protest includes health assistants, assistant health inspectors, and health inspectors who are the backbone of the country’s primary healthcare system.
Protesting health assistants, such as Sadekur Rashid Kiron, highlighted that they provide essential services including maternal and child registration and vaccinations, often working under harsh conditions. Despite their vital role, there has been no significant progress in their salary or status for the past 27 years. Other leaders, including Monir Hossain and Abu Kalam, pointed out the severe disparity in promotions and pay scales compared to other government sectors. It was noted that although the government pledged to implement their demands as far back as 1998, no tangible results have been achieved.
The central coordinator of the association, Wasi Uddin Rana, stated that between 2016 and 2025, several assurances were given by the authorities during various meetings, yet the issues remain unresolved. Their six-point charter of demands includes a revision of recruitment rules to provide the 14th grade for graduates, technical status for those who have completed in-service diplomas, and continuous higher grades for promotions. The leaders emphasized that while they do not wish to deprive the marginalized population of healthcare, the persistent neglect and unfulfilled promises by the authorities have forced them into an indefinite work abstention. The strike is set to continue until a formal and concrete government order is issued to address their grievances.
GLIVE/TSN