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The Jahangirnagar University (JU) administration on Thursday relieved the university’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamsur Rahman, of his duties pending an investigation into allegations of irregularities in medicine management and healthcare services, following hours of student protests at the Medical Centre.
The decision came after leaders of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and general students confined the CMO inside his office for nearly one and a half hours, demanding action over alleged corruption, medicine shortages and the deteriorating state of healthcare facilities on campus.
The blockade began around 1:30pm and was withdrawn at approximately 3:00pm after university authorities assured the protesters that their demands would be addressed.
Speaking after the protest, JUCSU Health Affairs Secretary Husne Mubarak alleged that Dr Shamsur Rahman had failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding discrepancies in the Medical Centre’s medicine inventory and other alleged irregularities. He also blamed long-standing administrative negligence for the declining quality of healthcare services at the university.
The protesting students placed a five-point charter of demands before the administration. These include the appointment of four specialist physicians within seven days, recruitment of six diploma nurses, expansion of the Medical Centre by adding 10 rooms, modernisation of the operation theatre, procurement of two new ambulances and the appointment of a faculty member as Director of the Medical Centre.
Although the administration assured the students that the issues would be addressed, JUCSU leaders warned that if visible progress is not made within 24 hours, they would announce fresh protest programmes.
The students also alleged that 19,567 units of medicine had gone missing from the Medical Centre between June 30 and July 21, with an estimated value of Tk 73,110. They further accused the CMO of negligence and alleged that the Medical Centre’s ambulance had been used for personal purposes.
Responding to the allegations, University Treasurer Professor Dr Md Abdur Rob, who is heading the investigation committee, said a preliminary review had found evidence of discrepancies in the medicine inventory.
He said the official responsible for the Medical Centre’s store had already been temporarily relieved of duty, while an investigation had also been initiated against the Chief Medical Officer.
“Once a formal written complaint is received, Dr Shamsur Rahman will remain relieved of his responsibilities until the investigation is completed,” he said.
Professor Abdur Rob added that the university would take immediate steps to strengthen healthcare services by recruiting doctors and other essential medical personnel, upgrading the Medical Centre’s infrastructure and creating new posts. Existing vacancies would be filled, while proposals for additional positions would be submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for approval.
In separate office orders signed by Acting Registrar Dr A B M Azizur Rahman, the university constituted a four-member investigation committee to examine the alleged irregularities in the Medical Centre’s medicine stock. The committee is headed by Professor Dr Md Abdur Rob, while Deputy Registrar (Council Section) Alauddin Molla will serve as Member Secretary.
In another order, Deputy Registrar (Store) Md Nur-e-Kamal was temporarily suspended with effect from the forenoon of July 23 to facilitate an impartial investigation. During the suspension period, he will receive a subsistence allowance equivalent to half of his last basic salary along with other admissible benefits in accordance with university regulations.
The latest developments come amid growing student demands for greater accountability, improved healthcare services and transparency in the management of the university’s Medical Centre.