Health Sector in Turmoil Over Feud Between Two DAB Factions

A new crisis has emerged at the office of the Directorate General of Health Services in Barishal. The center of the unrest is now the position of divisional health director. Dr. S.M. Moniruzzaman was recently appointed to the post, angering one faction of physicians aligned with the ruling party while pleasing another. The situation has escalated, with one group branding him a ‘fascist’ and forcing him out of his office morning and evening, while another group has threatened to paralyze the entire sector if his appointment is canceled, claiming he is one of their own.

The dispute over Dr. Moniruzzaman has drawn in two factions of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a physicians’ organization aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). One faction has labeled him a fascist and an opponent of the July movement and has been carrying out continuous protests demanding the cancellation of his appointment and posting. The other faction has warned of launching a movement if his appointment or posting is revoked.

Sources in the health sector said the Directorate General of Health Services appointed Dr. Moniruzzaman, former deputy director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC) Hospital, as Barishal’s divisional health director on July 5. He joined the post the following day. On July 7, a faction of DAB leaders and activists held a protest rally in front of his office demanding the cancellation of his appointment.

The following day, Dr. Nazrul Islam Selim, president of the SBMC chapter of DAB, entered his office and, along with several followers, forced Dr. Moniruzzaman out. Former DAB leaders Dr. Aziz Rahim and Dr. Mizanur Rahman, among others, unsuccessfully tried to stop them.

After forcing Dr. Moniruzzaman out, BNP activists locked the director’s office. When the lock was removed the next day, DAB leader Selim and his associates returned and locked the office again. At least 15 employees were trapped inside. Other office employees said an executive magistrate later conducted an operation and rescued them.

Asked why the divisional health director’s office had been locked, Dr. Selim said, “While serving as deputy director of SBMC, Dr. Moniruzzaman participated in an anti-July movement peace rally. He also joined many programs organized by the Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), which supported the Awami League during the fascist regime. While he received regular promotions during the Awami era, we were deprived. Now he is claiming to be a BNP man. Therefore, we do not accept this appointment. He must be removed immediately and replaced by someone who supported the July movement.”

Barishal district DAB President Dr. Kabiruzzaman echoed the same sentiment.

According to him, “Leaders of DAB should be consulted before appointments are made to various positions in the health sector, but the minister is not following that practice. If we had been consulted before appointing the divisional health director, this situation would not have arisen.”

However, Dr. Aziz Rahim, former president of the SBMC chapter of DAB and former vice president of the central committee, struck a different tone.

He claimed, “Dr. Moniruzzaman is a lifetime member of the central DAB. He was also part of the election management committee formed by the central body before February 12. We campaigned together as well. I do not understand why this division has suddenly emerged. These objections are purely personal. The faction that helped Dr. Moniruzzaman secure the position of director does not have good relations with Selim’s group.”

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, member secretary of the Barishal divisional unit of the Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad and former vice president of Barishal district DAB, was even more critical of Selim.

He claimed, “Dr. Moniruzzaman served as international affairs secretary and later vice president of the SBMC chapter of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.”

Fearing harassment over their support for a possible movement, two physicians at SBMC Hospital warned, “If Dr. Moniruzzaman’s appointment is canceled, the movement that follows will be too much for Selim’s DAB faction to handle. This DAB leader has created this anarchic situation because his preferred candidate was not appointed.”

Barishal Divisional Health Director Dr. Moniruzzaman described himself as a staunch BNP supporter.

In his explanation, he said, “While serving as deputy director of SBMC Hospital, I participated in the anti-July movement peace rally in compliance with government instructions. Other than that, I did not attend any Awami League program. In fact, I have been involved in BNP politics since my student days. The intentions of those now creating disorder and anarchy remain unclear.”