As violence spirals in Dhaka in Bangladesh, some Indian doctors have decided to stay back and follow the duty of saving lives amidst fears for their safety. In hospitals in Dhaka, overcome by the sudden influx of casualties, several doctors are stepping up to fill the vacuum, most of whom had just passed out from medical colleges or were interns. They report working up to 18 hours a day for the treatment of an increasing number of patients with serious injuries, which include pellet wounds, gunshot wounds, and stab wounds, as clashes between protesters and police escalate.

A Srinagar-based doctor, working at Old Dhaka's hospital in the Capital, revealed that the situation turned dire after fresh violence erupted on Monday night. He said that there is an acute shortage of medical resources against the overwhelming number of patients. "The number of casualties increased after fresh clashes broke out between protesters and police on Monday night. There is an acute shortage of resources, and we are working for 17-18 hours a day," he said.

Yet, it is this sense of duty that motivates these doctors despite the increasing risk. A Gujarat doctor mentioned that when they passed their medical exams, their oath was to protect life. "Our parents are concerned about our safety, but we had taken an oath to safeguard people's lives. Our duty is to serve them and in such a critical time, our services are needed by the hospitals.".

These doctors had done their MBBS in Bangladesh and were interned at various hospitals in the country. The doctors said they would continue their work despite the chaos. Dhaka had descended into "complete lawlessness" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and fleeing from the country led to mass violence across the city. The doctors, however, pointed out that the situation slightly improved on Tuesday with curfews being lifted and daily activities starting to resume.

A doctor from Jammu and Kashmir, who is also the president of the Affiliation of Indian Medical Students in Bangladesh, assured that there was no threat to foreign nationals. "I feel absolutely safe. The clashes are between the protesters and political outfits. Those who are not part of the protests like me do not feel any security concern," he said.

However, the families of doctors remain apprehensive despite the relative calm. While some parents have asked their children to leave the city and come home, many of these doctors feel it is their duty to stay on. "My parents want me to come home, but the hospitals here need us. Sometimes we spend four consecutive days at the hospital looking after the patients," the doctor said. Leaving now would mean doing the internships later, he said.

The Affiliation of Indian Medical Students in Bangladesh has advised students who have returned to India to wait until the situation stabilizes before coming back to Bangladesh. It has urged students not to rush and make travel arrangements only after August 15 once the law-and-order situation improves.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed political leaders in Parliament and said India has been in constant touch with the Army chief there to ensure the safety of more than 10,000 Indian students in that country. Nearly 19,000 Indian nationals live in Bangladesh, of whom 9,000 are students at a host of educational institutions here. As many as those returning were students at a host of Bangladeshi educational institutions, with some 9,000 alone who returned to India in July following the violence. Clashes between police and protesters -- mainly students -- have killed more than 200 people in a month of unrest.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Prerna Lal/MSM)