Health assistants in Patuakhali, along with their colleagues across the country, have gone on strike pressing for six specific demands, leaving rural families of child patients in difficulty.
On Sunday morning, health assistants gathered in front of the Kalapara Upazila Health Complex, holding banners and placards to stage their protest.
The work stoppage, which began on 1 October, has brought routine EPI vaccination services for children to a halt. This disruption has caused widespread concern and suffering among parents and guardians in rural areas, who now face uncertainty over their children’s regular immunisation.
During the demonstration, speeches were delivered by Zahidul Islam, President of the Kalapara branch of the Bangladesh Health Assistants’ Association, alongside members Julia Nasrin and Monira Sultana.
They presented their six-point charter of demands, which include amending the recruitment policy, recognising a bachelor’s degree in science as part of the educational qualifications, allocation of the 14th grade, promotion to the 11th grade through in-service diploma training, recognition of their posts as technical positions, and ensuring continuous promotions to higher grades.
The speakers made it clear that the nationwide, indefinite strike, called by their central committee, will continue until their demands are met, regardless of the mounting public suffering.
