Nurses barred from speaking to media

The Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery has ordered all of its officials and employees at government hospitals to refrain from speaking in public or to the media without prior permission.

DGNM Director-General Siddika Akter issued the order on Wednesday.

The officials and employees were asked not to hold public discussions, issue statements or provide opinions to newspapers or other mass media, according to the order.

The decision came at a time when many nurses across Bangladesh are at risk of being infected if they are not provided with the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to treat Covid-19 patients.

Nasimul Haque Imran, president of Bangladesh Basic Graduate Nurses Society, told Dhaka Tribune the directorate may have taken this initiative in an attempt to prevent rumours.

“However, if they restrict everyone from speaking to media in any circumstances, it will result in two problems. First, nurses will not be able to speak up if they are not getting PPE. Second, it will create a fear among nurses, and demotivate them from providing services,” he said

He added that related associations would visit the DGNM on Sunday and seek permission for organizations, if not individual nurses, to speak to media regarding the needs of nurses.

Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery DG Siddika Akter said the Bangladesh Service Rules does not allow government employees to speak to the media whenever they want.

“They (government officers and employees) cannot issue opinions publicly. The letter was issued just to remind them about the provision,” she told Bangla Tribune.