RMCH 'sealed off' for jurnos
Rajshahi Medical College Hospital is virtually sealed off for journalists even for treatments and policemen were deployed at all entrances enact the provision drawing flak from media persons.
Last night a number of newsmen decided in a meeting at local Sonali Sangbad office to meet and complain with the health advisor who is scheduled to visit RMCH today noon.
They are to show black flags to the RMCH director brigadier general Bazle Kader.
“The RMCH move was taken to restrain journalists who started covering irregularities and mismanagement at the government hospital”, said Hasan Millat, president of Rajshahi Union of Journalists.
Metropolitan Press Club secretary Anisuzzaman said, “We demand immediate withdrawal of the prohibition, or removal of RMCH director as none have right to seize people’s right to know especially when he lives on public taxes”.
On Sunday night, Janakantha photojournalist Selim Jahangir was barred at the hospital emergency gate and was told, ‘journalists will not be allowed in RMCH’.
Selim informed police that he (Selim) was not on duty, he was without any pen, notebook and camera, and he was only going to ward no. 25 to meet ailing mother of his friend (Maksed Ali, vice president of Sandho Prodip Sangskritik Academy).
He was then told, “no journalists please, and no journalists even as patients...it’s an order of RMCH director’.
In the day morning, Mahtab Chowdhury, staff reporter of local Sonali Sangbad was not allowed at the outdoor when he went there for his monthly Asma check-up. He later consulted a private doctor.
RMCH authority in middle of last month prohibited entrance of journalists on the hospital compound and threatened with legal actions against newsmen failing to comply.
On February 28, notices were pasted around RMCH reading, "For information of all concerned, the entrance of journalists on the hospital compound has been prohibited for unavoidable reasons. Photojournalists would also not be allowed to take photos without permission."
Local daily Sonar Desh’s photojournalist Shamshur Rahman Rumi was detained as soon as he snapped the notice at emergency gate. He was, however, freed half-an hour later following tough persuasion by some half-hundred of his colleagues.
Junior newsmen Emran of Sunshine and Rafik of Natun Probhat were collared and pushed out at RMCH director’s order on February 4 when they went to cover demolishing of BNP leader Altaf Hossain’s two-storied market erected illegally at the hospital premises.
RMCH director was not available for his comment all day long yesterday. His PA told in office hours that director was supervising cleaning works of hospital as he was to welcome health advisor today noon.
In the afternoon, phone line was cut thrice and later a woman replied to tell that he went out. Replying a question, she said, RMCH director was busy cutting hair as health advisor is coming the next day.
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Last night a number of newsmen decided in a meeting at local Sonali Sangbad office to meet and complain with the health advisor who is scheduled to visit RMCH today noon.
They are to show black flags to the RMCH director brigadier general Bazle Kader.
“The RMCH move was taken to restrain journalists who started covering irregularities and mismanagement at the government hospital”, said Hasan Millat, president of Rajshahi Union of Journalists.
Metropolitan Press Club secretary Anisuzzaman said, “We demand immediate withdrawal of the prohibition, or removal of RMCH director as none have right to seize people’s right to know especially when he lives on public taxes”.
On Sunday night, Janakantha photojournalist Selim Jahangir was barred at the hospital emergency gate and was told, ‘journalists will not be allowed in RMCH’.
Selim informed police that he (Selim) was not on duty, he was without any pen, notebook and camera, and he was only going to ward no. 25 to meet ailing mother of his friend (Maksed Ali, vice president of Sandho Prodip Sangskritik Academy).
He was then told, “no journalists please, and no journalists even as patients...it’s an order of RMCH director’.
In the day morning, Mahtab Chowdhury, staff reporter of local Sonali Sangbad was not allowed at the outdoor when he went there for his monthly Asma check-up. He later consulted a private doctor.
RMCH authority in middle of last month prohibited entrance of journalists on the hospital compound and threatened with legal actions against newsmen failing to comply.
On February 28, notices were pasted around RMCH reading, "For information of all concerned, the entrance of journalists on the hospital compound has been prohibited for unavoidable reasons. Photojournalists would also not be allowed to take photos without permission."
Local daily Sonar Desh’s photojournalist Shamshur Rahman Rumi was detained as soon as he snapped the notice at emergency gate. He was, however, freed half-an hour later following tough persuasion by some half-hundred of his colleagues.
Junior newsmen Emran of Sunshine and Rafik of Natun Probhat were collared and pushed out at RMCH director’s order on February 4 when they went to cover demolishing of BNP leader Altaf Hossain’s two-storied market erected illegally at the hospital premises.
RMCH director was not available for his comment all day long yesterday. His PA told in office hours that director was supervising cleaning works of hospital as he was to welcome health advisor today noon.
In the afternoon, phone line was cut thrice and later a woman replied to tell that he went out. Replying a question, she said, RMCH director was busy cutting hair as health advisor is coming the next day.
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