Hospital authorities remove mandatory honorific directive for doctors at Muradnagar Health Complex following public backlash
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Authorities at the Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex in Comilla have removed a controversial notice that demanded patients and their relatives address female physicians exclusively as “Sir” or “Madam.” The handwritten sign, which had been posted on the door of the emergency department, triggered widespread public backlash after images of the directive circulated on social media.
Abul Kalam Azad, the acting Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, confirmed that the notice was removed Friday afternoon after hospital administration became aware of the situation. Azad condemned the directive as irrational, stating that there is no provision in government service regulations requiring patients to use honorifics such as “Sir” or “Madam” when addressing medical staff. He emphasized that a physician’s primary duty is to provide humanitarian care, regardless of how they are addressed.
The notice had reportedly been displayed for approximately a month, causing significant frustration among the local population. Many patients seeking care at the facility are from rural backgrounds with limited formal education and often use traditional, respectful terms like “bhai” (brother) or “apa” (sister) to address medical staff. Patients reported that they were frequently rebuked or treated with hostility by certain doctors when they failed to use the preferred titles.
Fatema Begum, a resident of the Nabipur area who recently sought treatment at the facility, expressed her distress, noting that patients are often humiliated or met with anger for using customary terms of address. Hospital staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the issue emerged after a group of new female physicians joined the facility several months ago.
While the specific individuals responsible for the notice have not yet been identified, Azad stated that an investigation is underway to determine which staff members initiated the policy. Some physicians at the hospital expressed concern that the incident could damage the reputation of the medical community, stressing that a patient-friendly environment based on mutual respect is essential.
Cumilla Civil Surgeon Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir Ahmed stated he was unaware of the specific incident but intended to look into the matter. He reiterated that there is no official mandate requiring patients to use formal titles, adding that his own professional philosophy is centered entirely on serving the public, regardless of the terminology used by those in his care.
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