The intern and postgraduate doctors today suspended their ongoing work abstention, ward boycott and class boycott programmes after receiving assurances from the health authorities that their key demands would be addressed within seven working days.

The decision came following a meeting between representatives of the doctors and senior health officials, according to a statement signed by them and shared by the health ministry.

Health Secretary Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas, and Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) Prof Nazmul Hossain were present at the meeting held at DGHS headquarters in Dhaka’s Mohakhali area.

The intern and postgraduate doctors continued their demonstration for the second day today to press home their seven-point demands.

According to decisions reached at the meeting, all private postgraduate trainees who pass FCPS Part-I or MD/MS Phase-I examinations will be entitled to receive stipends, which will be paid on a monthly basis.

The government also agreed in principle to increase the stipends currently provided to intern and postgraduate doctors in line with the implementation strategy of the new national pay scale.

The meeting further decided that effective steps would be taken to formulate the proposed Health Protection Act in consultation with relevant stakeholders and by following due process.

Officials also agreed to recommend to the appropriate authorities that the age limit for entry into the BCS health cadre be reconsidered.

In addition, examination fees charged by the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) and Bangladesh Medical University will be reviewed and set at a reasonable level, with necessary support from the health ministry.

The meeting also agreed to initiate discussions with stakeholders on establishing a dignified entry-level salary structure for doctors employed at private hospitals, clinics and medical colleges.