-Doctor designation cannot be used without MBBS and BDS
-Demand to close non-paying medical colleges
Doctor’s long march protest has started to BMDC as the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) considering medical assistants as diploma medical practitioners. As part of the 'March to BMDC' program, doctors started gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar under the banner of General Doctors and Medical Students Society from yesterday morning.
They also demanded removal of BMDC officials. Speakers in the gathering said that medical assistants who have passed BMDC MATs, DMF, and LMF are considered as 'Diploma Medical Practitioners'. We strongly condemn it and take up this program today (Yesterday) as a fight for our existence and rights. We would like to warn that health workers other than doctors do not have the right to wear white aprons and write the title doctor before their name.
In the gathering, Sapporo Medical College Principal Professor Dr Nurul Amin said, 'Doctor is not just a matter of introduction; it is a matter of qualification. Those who do not have this qualification cannot introduce themselves as doctors. Technologists are helpful. They are not doctors by any means. Doctors also said that many medical colleges are not giving salary allowance to doctors. These medical institutions should be brought to justice. If necessary, they should be closed. Also separate council for diplomas should create.
At that time they demanded to change the BMDC Act. They also called to keep BMDC inactive until then. Meanwhile, in the Long March to BMDC program, the doctors have also raised 9 point demands against the consideration of medical assistants as diploma medical practitioners by the BMDC.
Their demands are, 1. Doctor designation cannot be used without MBBS and BDS. 2. In order to improve health care, health care without doctors should be stopped. 3. Health care should be ensured by doctors at Union level. 4. No pharmacy can sell drugs without prescription. 5. Pay structure of Private Doctors (Medical Officer, Senior Medical Officer, Assistant Registrar, and Registrar) should be confirmed. 6. Promotion should be ensured in the light of experience. 7. No one has the right to say wrong treatment except BMDC. 8. Medical care should be ensured by a doctor in a private hospital. 9. Health protection laws/policies should be formulated.
Regarding the program, the convener of Bangladesh Doctors Foundation Dr Md Shahed Rafi Pabel said, "We had planned to gather at BMDC in the beginning. But there the diploma holders who gave a counter program. We can see many people around this program trying to catch fish in murky waters. Some people want to make this movement of general doctors and students of the country a conspiracy of Awami League. We want doctors and student society not to get any kind of dirt in the movement for their rights which closes the way for the future.
He said, I hope that this government, including the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement, will express solidarity with the demands of general doctors and students of the country. We want everyone's cooperation. Earlier on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) Act, medical assistants who have undergone medical treatment and training for three years will receive the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) certificate. Section 15, 28, 29 of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act-2010 (Act No. 61 of 2010) mentions some significant laws.
Among them, section 15 mentions the prohibition of use of registrable medical diploma, section 28 of fraudulent representation or registration and section 29 of false designation, etc Registrable Diploma in Medical Medicine - Medical Assistants holding a Diploma in Medical Medicine shall be eligible to be registered with the Council under this Act after completing medical training for a period not less than three years from any medical institution located in Bangladesh or outside Bangladesh.
ZH
