Chittagong: Doctors, demonstrating in Chittagong for the withdrawal of cases filed against their colleagues, called off their strike today after five days of sufferings by patients and their relatives.

Mujibul Huq Khan, president of Bangladesh Medical Association, Chittagong, said the physicians called off their strike after assurance from the city mayor side by side with considering the sufferings of the general people.

‘The mayor assured us of reaching an acceptable settlement which would be beneficial for both the parties. So, we will start attending patients in our private chambers and nursing homes for the time-being,’ Mujibul Khan said.

The striking physicians have joined their work after the BMA leaders met with Chittagong Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin at Chittagong Medical College Hospital this afternoon.

Meherunnahar Rima, 25, daughter of Khairul Bashar, died after giving birth at private hospital ‘Surgiscope’ on January 10. Her (Rima’s) relatives then vandalized the hospital, claiming she had died because of doctors’ negligence.

Bashar filed a complaint with Chittagong Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court against the doctors, Chittagong Medical College Hospital assistant professor of gynecology Shamima Siddiki Rosy and her husband Mahbubul Alam.

A Chittagong court has already ordered the officer-in-charge of Panchlaish police station to accept the complaint as a case.

The order prompted the BMA’s Chittagong unit to stop all private practice and treatment of patients at doctors’ chambers from last Wednesday. The doctors demanded that the case be withdrawn.