Suspension of services at NIOH continues amid hefty patient inflow

Services at the National Institute of Opthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) in the capital remained suspended on Saturday, as doctors, nurses, and employees at the facility were observing a work abstention to protest assaults on them by patients.

The hospital has been facing services suspension over the last four days until Saturday.

Upon a visit at the hospital, the FE found patients and their relatives who thronged at the hospital were going back to their respective homes without receiving services.

Md Abdullah (65) said that he had an operation in this hospital after arriving in the facility two days ago. He said that he was yet to receive any treatment due to the strike.

Earlier on Wednesday, a group of inpatients - injured in the July uprising -- attacked physicians, nurses, and staffers over reported medical negligence.

At least 15 people, including doctors, were injured in the attack.

Later, the hospital doctors, nurses and staffers began a work stoppage citing security concerns.

However, the hospital authorities are yet to confirm the time of medical services resumption at the hospital.

"We, the doctors, are not attending the hospital as per the instruction of our Acting Director Dr Zan-E-Alam Mridha. We will return to duty only when the situation normalises and he instructs us to do so," Dr Sanjoy Kumar, the hospital's consultant told the media.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com