Dhaka, Aug 12 — Dozens of protesters blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway near Nothullabad bus terminal and Sadar Road in Barishal city on Tuesday, pressing a three-point demand for an end to syndicate practices and irregularities in Bangladesh’s health sector. The blockade, ongoing for 17 days, caused massive traffic jams, forcing police to divert vehicles through alternative routes.
In addition to the road blockade, several students began an indefinite hunger strike at 11 a.m. outside the main gate of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital, seeking reforms in hospital administration. Protest leader Mohiuddin Rony announced that the blockade would continue until the government meets demands to end mismanagement, harassment of patients, and syndicate control in all government hospitals.
Rony said a 24-hour ultimatum issued on Sunday to the health advisor to personally visit Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, investigate irregularities, and provide assurances had expired without response. The absence of action prompted the continuation of the blockade.
The barricade halted traffic on both sides of the highway, affecting thousands of commuters. Police rerouted vehicles from Kuakata via Nabgram Road and Kashipur Choumatha, adding around 10 kilometres to journeys but preventing prolonged jams. “Students continue to block the highway and Sadar Road, raising a three-point demand. Law and order remains normal,” said Barishal Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zakir Hossain Sikder.
The protests have drawn attention to alleged corruption and inefficiencies within the health system, with demonstrators vowing to remain on the streets until meaningful reforms are implemented.
