The aftermath of vandalism by students of Savar-based Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College on its pharmacy yesterday following the death of one of the hospital's doctors in Patuakhali on Sunday. Photo: Star

Several hundred students of Gono Bishwabidyalay and Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College vandalised the college hospital in Savar yesterday following the death of one of the hospital's doctors in Patuakhali on Sunday.
They also blockaded the Dhaka-Aricha highway and vandalised some vehicles there before police dispersed them. Afterwards, the students went to the hospital and vandalised it forcing the patients to flee.
Agitated students of both the institutions, which are under Gonoshasthaya Kendra, claimed that hospital management was negligent in ensuring safety of the doctor.
The students also urged the authorities concerned to change a rule of the kendra that makes it mandatory for every medical student and doctor to visit rural areas.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra has 46 health sub-centres all over the country. The organisation sends its students and doctors to these sub-centres, built mostly in remote and rural areas, for rural health development.
In accordance, Dr Maklukur Rahman Murad, the doctor who died, along with a medical team comprising 56 members was sent to a sub-centre at Golachipa of Patuakhali on Thursday.
Murad, who was the assistant registrar of the hospital, went missing on Friday and his body was found floating on a pond beside the sub-centre on Sunday. Murad's body is now at Dhaka Medical College Hospital awaiting post-mortem.
When students heard the news, they blockaded the highway. After police intervention, the students went to the hospital and vandalised it.
They vandalised, among other facilities, hospital vehicles, patient rooms, and the pharmacy.
Dr Ashraf Mollik, director of the hospital, said more than 650 patients have been forced to leave the hospital.