Pathological tests in all four branches of LabAid Diagnostic Centre halted for almost nine hours yesterday as the medical technologists went on work abstention over assault on one of their fellows.
The technologists, who perform diagnostic analyses, started the agitation in front of the Dhanmondi branch at 8:00am, leaving a number of patients waiting in all the different branches to have diagnostic tests.
According to the protesters, the Dhanmondi branch authorities beat up Jugal Krishna Dutta, a medical technologist, indiscriminately over a false allegation that he was providing medical tests secretly to patients from outside without official approval.
Beaten unconscious, Dutta was locked in the hospital mortuary for about 17 hours, and freed on bond and sacked, his colleagues said.
After a whole day negotiation, the LabAid authorities agreed to the agitators’ demands, declaring termination of Marketing Director Al Imran Chowdhury, Administrative Manager Jahangir Alam and Administrative Coordinator Dr Bikash Boron Mondol.
Mesbah Aazad, media coordinator of LabAid group, admitted that a section of employees beat up Dutta over the allegation, which he termed an unfortunate incident.
He said LabAid group reinstated Dutta to his post and agreed to pay for his treatment with three month’s advance salary.
According to the agitators, the incident might have coincidence with the fact that Dutta was trying to make a move for a pay rise, which the authorities wanted to spoil.
Bangladesh Diploma Health Technologist’s Association, Swadhinata Medical Technologist Association and students of medical technology from different institutions joined the agitation.
They also demanded appointment of professional technologists as in-charge in the diagnostic centre, eight hours work, proper payment for overtime duties and benefits as approved by government pay scale.
