Physicians have given the government a one-week ultimatum demanding an increase in the age limit for BCS applications.
Although the age limit for general students has been increased by two years to 32, the previous age limit for doctors' applications remained the same. It was announced to increase it to 34 in view of their demand; however a notification has not been issued yet. In this situation, they have warned to call a greater movement of doctors, including a strike, if this ‘discrimination’ is not resolved within the next week in BCS applications.
The doctors issued this ultimatum at a press conference organized by the United Medical Organizations of Bangladesh (UMOB) at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Auditorium of the National Press Club on Monday.
UMOB President Dr. Mahfuzul Haque Chowdhury said, "In the last one and a half years, we have repeatedly visited to the Health Ministry and the Public Administration Ministry. Everyone has just assured us and said that our demands are reasonable. But we have not seen any action from anyone to accept our demands."
He said, "Currently, we see that no demand is being accepted without a movement. The demand for increase in allowance was also accepted after the final movement. But the job of doctors is not to protest. That is why we did not want to go on any movement. But if the notification is not issued within the next week, then we will be forced to go on a movement.”
“Don’t underestimate our demand. We are not demanding to increase the age to 34. We want that there should be no discrimination against us. If the government wants, it can increase the age limit to 34, 35 or 36 years. We want that the discrimination that is being made against doctors should not happen again,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
