UNB, Dhaka :
In the wake of untoward clashes between doctors and people seeking medical services at government hospitals, experts have recommended introducing comprehensive courses on behaviour and skills in all medical colleges so that the doctors become more sensitised towards their patients.
Talking to UNB, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) secretary general M Iqbal Arslan said comprehensive courses on behiviour and skills should be incorporated in the MBBS curricula for ensuring standard health services in government hospitals.
There are such courses in the medical curricula of European countries, he added.
Iqbal noted that some recent untoward incidents in hospitals have created a misunderstanding among the common people, and that doctors must behave well with patients.
Replying to an allegation that public hospital staff are reluctant about having emergency patients admitted, Prof ABM Abdul Hannan, Director of the Directorate General of Health Services, said they have decided to take stern steps against such incidents, if reported.
He also mentioned that a course styled ‘Behavioural Change Communication’ has already been incorporated in the curricula of MBBS to bring a positive change in behaviour of future doctors.
Health and Family Planning Minister Mohammad Nasim said the government is determined to reach the health services to the common people, particularly in rural areas.
Strict directives have been issued against the doctors who are not willing
to stay in rural areas, he noted. “We’re taking action instantly if any doctor found absent in his or her workplace. Many doctors have already faced such actions,” he told UNB.
The minister observed that doctors should not go on strike on minor issues.
“A responsible doctor can’t take part in a strike stopping the service to the patients,” he said.
The government has already issued directives for the authorities of public hospitals to be more sincere so that the common and poor patients can avail themselves of the health services easily, he added.
