A large number of physicians were recruited and promoted ignoring competence and seniority in gross violation of rules during the alliance rule. If they are not removed and punished immediately, the process would continue creating a dark phase in the health sector, said Prof Iqbal Arslan, secretary general of the pro-Awami League SCP.

Addressing a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club, the SCP leaders demanded fresh appointment of competent persons after removal of the political appointees and promotion of the deserving ones according to their seniority. Those transferred and made OSDs (officer on special duty) to just harass them must be reinstated properly, they demanded.

Physicians belonging to the BNP-backed Doctors Association of Bangladesh (Dab) and pro-Jamaat ones were involved in corruption regarding admission to different medical colleges and institutions for post-graduate studies in medicine, the SCP leaders alleged.

They also demanded immediate steps to ensure transparency in the upcoming MBBS admission test in 14 government medical colleges on November 10 and that for post-graduate courses at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on November 17 transparent and fair.

Terming the vice chancellor (VC), pro vice chancellor and treasurer of the BSMMU 'partisan' and 'corrupt', the SCP said they should be replaced by honest and competent persons.

Reading out a written statement, Iqbal Arslan alleged that the VC was directly involved in the incident of setting fire to his office room on Saturday and demanded proper investigation.

Besides, complaints against Dab General Secretary AZM Jahid Hossain must also be probed, he said.

The SCP demanded restructuring the 'corrupt' and 'politically influenced' adiministration in Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Red Crescent Holy Family Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka National Medical College and Hospital and different private hospitals.

All contract appointments in health sector on political considerations must be cancelled and 'corrupt' Dab and BMA representatives on the committee of Health and Family Welfare Ministry have to be removed, they said.

The health ministry order to increase the service charge at every government hospital should be cancelled immediately, they demanded.

Those present at the press conference included SCP President AFM Ruhul Haque, Vice President Abu Shafi Ahmed, Joint General Secretary Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, former VC of BSMMU Prof Mahmud Hasan, former director general of health Prof Syed Mohasser Ali and BSMMU unit SCP President Sharfuddin Ahmed.