United News of Bangladesh

In a rare move, the authorities of Dhaka Medical College (DMC) on Saturday declared the institution closed for an indefinite period, following an ongoing deadlock between students and administration over urgent renovation and infrastructure demands. A formal notice, signed by DMC Principal Dr Md Kamrul Alam, announced that the closure will take effect from Sunday (June 22). The announcement comes after weeks of unrest on campus, with students boycotting classes since May 28 to press home a five-point demand centring on hazardous accommodation and stalled development projects. According to the notice, all students have been instructed to vacate their dormitories by 12 noon Sunday. However, professional MBBS examinees and foreign students have been exempted from the directive. The decision to halt academic operations was taken during an emergency meeting of the college’s academic council on Saturday. Talking to UNB, Principal Kamrul Alam explained the rationale behind the move, “Students have been asked to vacate the halls for a short period to avoid any potential risks. It is not possible to implement renovation demands so quickly. Therefore, until an alternative arrangement is made, the directive to leave the halls remains in effect.” He went on to say, “A few times in the past, the halls were closed due to clashes between groups or for other reasons. But this is the first time it’s happening due to renovation demands. The orientation programme has also been boycotted, which is deeply unfortunate. It’s something students usually look forward to, yet this time they chose to boycott it. I believe they might have been incited to do so.” Students Stand Their Ground Students, however, are refusing to leave. Many have criticised the closure as an evasion of accountability and a disregard for their living conditions. Dhaka Medical College closed indefinitely “We’ve been boycotting classes since May 28. Nearly seven months ago, the PWD declared the entire Fazle Rabbi Hall building as hazardous,” said Arupon Barua, a second-year student. Fourth-year student Abdullah Noman was more defiant, saying, “We reject the directive to vacate the halls. If our five-point demand is not met, we will announce our next course of action.” Even final-year students preparing for crucial examinations have joined the protests. “No student currently in session will leave the hall,” said Neela from Dr Aleem Chowdhury Hall. Another student from the same hall, Zobaida, echoed the sentiment. Five-Point Demand The protesting students have laid out five key demands:Urgent approval of a budget for constructing a new dormitory and female hall.Immediate alternative housing arrangements until new accommodations are completed.A separate budget for the construction of a new academic building.Prompt and visible action following the passing of separate budgets for all required facilities.Appointment of student representatives to ensure transparency and monitor progress. A Legacy at Crossroads Founded in 1946, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) is one of the country's premier institutions for medical education and tertiary healthcare. With over 1300 undergraduates and nearly 1000 postgraduates, DMC annually admits about 230 MBBS students. The college’s closure marks a rare and disruptive episode in its storied history. As DMC shutters its doors amid growing student resistance, questions loom in public mind over how long the stalemate will last and whether the demands for safety and accountability will finally be addressed.

Another Munshiganj cylinder explosion victim has succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, officials said. Kawsar, 36, died at the hospital's Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Saturday morning, taking the total number of deaths in the explosion to three. Kawsar, 36, his wife Shanta, 27, and their two children -- Yeasmin, 6, and Fatema, 3 -- sustained burn injuries in a fire triggered by the cooking gas cylinder blast in their house in the Char Muktarpur area of Munshiganj's Sadar upazila in early on Thursday morning. READ:  Munshiganj Building Fire: Siblings succumb to burns at SHBU The two sisters died of their injuries that night only. Their mother and a neighbour are undergoing treatment at the hospital. For over eight years, Kawsar, a welder by profession, had been staying in Munshiganj with his family. Sadar Police Station OC Rajib Khan said, "Prima facie, it seemed to be a cooking gas cylinder explosion. But a CID team is investigating the case," he said.

The government has reappointed Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam as the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for two more years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said laid emphasis on quick repair and renovation of the Public Library, National Museum, TSC, dormitories and ponds under Dhaka University.

Newly-appointed Director General of the Health Directorate (DGHS) Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam on Saturday said the government alone is not responsible for the corruption as all are liable for the situation. 

The government is investigating the allocation of Tk 20 crore for hotel rent and food of medical professionals at Dhaka Medical College.