Intern doctors at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital have launched an indefinite strike following the harassment of a female intern doctor.

The interns said they would continue their protest until workplace security was guaranteed and those responsible are held accountable.

The incident occurred around 10pm on Friday when three patients arrived simultaneously at Ward-6 seeking admission. An attendant of one patient allegedly pressured the on-duty intern doctor to expedite the admission process, sparking an argument involving doctors and nurses. The dispute reportedly escalated into physical violence, during which relatives of the patient assaulted on-duty staff. Several staff members were injured, and a female intern doctor was harassed.

In response, intern doctors initially detained three individuals, including a woman, suspected of involvement. Another source alleged that the detainees were later assaulted by hospital staff. Police arrived later that night and took the three into custody. Two are receiving treatment at a private hospital, while one remains in police custody.

Hospital authorities have formed a separate medical team to ensure continuity of healthcare services. Deputy Director Dr Mahbubur Alam said the strike began the night of the incident, with interns demanding both security and punishment of the offenders. He emphasized that ensuring the safety of intern doctors is a priority and confirmed that legal proceedings were underway.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (media) Mohammad Saiful Islam said police teams responded and remained deployed to maintain order, with investigations ongoing.

Intern doctor Marzia Alam stressed that proper hospital procedures must be followed to provide care, noting that lapses often lead to conflicts. She said the strike will continue until justice is served.

Assistant Professor Dr SM Asaduzzaman Jewel said the 900-bed hospital admits 2,500–3,000 patients daily, making service delivery highly demanding.