The recent physicians' strike at private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres of Chittagong, in protest of cases filed against their colleagues for medical negligence, is in contradiction to the noble Hippocratic oath that all doctors are bound by. In one of the cases filed, the doctor mistakenly left the bandage inside the body of a patient during surgery. Such occurrences may be unusual but it is true that hundreds of patients have suffered or died due to medical negligence. Most patients do not file cases against medical practitioners, intimidated by the high cost of doing so and the fact that it is unlikely that the errant doctor will be punished. Now that cases have been filed against some of them for alleged negligence, doctors have gone for a punitive strike that has caused immeasurable suffering to patients seeking treatment.

Cases of negligence by any professional have traditionally been disposed of at court and through a judicial process. Why shouldn't this be the same for allegations of medical negligence? The striking doctors, spearheaded by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Chittagong, have demanded a specialists' panel to investigate the allegations before any case can be filed. Such a proposal may merit discussion but not under the sword of a strike. 

Over the decades, our medical professionals have acquired greater expertise in their fields to the great benefit of the people. It is therefore all the more unfortunate that instead of trying to improve standards of healthcare by making sure incidences of negligence do not occur, doctors have chosen to hold patients hostage in a bid to force their agenda. This is not what we expect from members of this noble profession.