Nalchit's health sector reform movement, after four days of continuous sit-in, announces suspension of the movement with a seven-day ultimatum

In Nalchitty, Jhalakathi, students have been continuously holding a sit-in program under the banner of the Health Sector Reform Movement for four days since October 6, demanding 12 points for health sector reforms. After several rounds of discussions and meetings with various government departments over the four days, the district health department and upazila administration have announced a suspension of the movement for seven days with the assurance that their demands will be accepted. Thursday (October 10) at 11 am, the protesters met with the Nalchiti Upazila Administration and the Upazila Health and Family Planning Department at the Upazila Parishad auditorium. During this time, the protesters spoke to Upazila Executive Officer Lovely Yasmin and Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shiuli Parvin about their 12-point demands. They highlighted various irregularities and problems in the hospital. After their speech, the Upazila Executive Officer asked the hospital authorities to give them up to seven working days to implement some of the possible demands that could be reformed locally. After receiving assurances from the Upazila Executive Officer along with Jhalakathi Civil Surgeon Dr. Humayun Kabir and the Upazila Health and Family Planning Department, the protesters agreed to this and announced that their ongoing sit-in program would be suspended for seven working days.

At this time, the main organizers of the movement, Sathi Akhter, Imran Hossain, Marjan Khan, volunteer organization leader Shahadat Fakir and all the protesters were present. In a statement after the meeting, they said, "You are aware that we have been continuously observing a sit-in program demanding 12 points for health sector reforms to save the health sector including the Nalchiti Upazila Health Complex from the dire situation." During the sit-in program for the fourth consecutive day, several discussions were held with the District Civil Surgeon, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer. Most recently, this morning, we held a bilateral meeting with Nalchiti Upazila Executive Officer Lovely Yasmin and Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shiuli Parveen.

In view of the verbal assurance given at the meeting to accept the demands of the movement, an ultimatum of seven working days has been given for the time being. Our sit-in program will be suspended for the time being for seven working days. However, if we cannot show visible progress in implementing the demands within these seven days, our sit-in program will continue again and a more stringent program will be announced later.

It is worth noting that they had been holding a sit-in protest against the cleanliness of the Nalchiti Hospital, various irregularities and poor conditions, and demanding 12 points, including the appointment of specialist doctors, operation theaters, and the introduction of ultrasonograms.