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World Medical Body Flags Alarming Attacks on Doctors in Bangladesh, Urges Tarique Govt to Act
- •The World Medical Association (WMA) has written to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, expressing deep concern over a "broader and deeply worrying pattern" of violence against healthcare workers.
- •The WMA's intervention follows at least 10 reported incidents of attacks or physical assaults on doctors and healthcare professionals across Bangladesh since January 2026, including cases linked to patient attendants, alleged criminal networks, and political affiliations.
- •Incidents include assaults on doctors at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, alleged wrong treatment cases, attacks on a National Cancer Research Institute Deputy Director, and severe injuries to a doctor at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital.
- •The WMA warns that this violence impacts the "quality, continuity and accessibility of patient care" and erodes public trust, urging the government to investigate attacks, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen reporting mechanisms.
- •This international scrutiny adds pressure on the newly elected Tarique Rahman government, which is already facing heightened domestic concerns over law and order and the protection of professionals.
Key Questions Answered
The World Medical Association (WMA) wrote to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain to flag a deeply worrying pattern of rising violence, physical assaults, and vandalism targeting doctors, healthcare personnel, and medical facilities across Bangladesh in 2026.
At least 10 reported incidents involving physical assaults, threats, or vandalism against doctors and healthcare professionals occurred across Bangladesh between January and September 2026.
The WMA urged the government to implement effective security measures to protect healthcare personnel and medical facilities, ensure prompt investigations with accountable perpetrators, strengthen reporting mechanisms, and address underlying health sector problems.
