[🇧🇩] Those who are injured during student revolution

[Saif]

Injured to go abroad for treatment, foreign specialists to come too

The health ministry has sent 30 persons who were injured in the July uprising, for better treatment overseas. Two of them have returned home after completion of their treatment. The ministry will be sending another 12 overseas soon, for advanced medical treatment.

en.prothomalo.com

Injured to go abroad for treatment, foreign specialists to come too
Shishir Moral
Dhaka
Updated: 01 Feb 2025, 22: 55

A youth wounded in the July mass uprising being taken to hospital. Picture taken at 3:00 in the afternoon on 4 August 2024 at the New Market intersection in Chattogram cityProthom Alo file photo

The health ministry has sent 30 persons who were injured in the July uprising, for better treatment overseas. Two of them have returned home after completion of their treatment. The ministry will be sending another 12 overseas soon, for advanced medical treatment.

Sources in the health ministry say, alongside sending the injured abroad, efforts are also being made to bring in foreign specialists to provide medical treatment to the injured within the country. A 10-member team of physicians arrived in Bangladesh on 27 January from the US. On 4 February, 5 eye specialists are scheduled to arrive from Singapore. Over the past few months several physicians had visited Bangladesh from Thailand, China, the UK and France to treat the injured persons here.

Till 27 January, the ministry has spent around Tk 161.47 million (Tk 16 crore 14 lakh 72 thousand) on overseas treatment. Of this, over Tk 63.70 million (Tk 6 crore 37 lakh) was spent on one person alone. Officials of the ministry say that it will take another few months for that injured person's treatment to be completed at Singapore National Hospital.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, health advisor Nur Jahan Begum said, "We are continuing our efforts to ensure that the injured get the best medical treatment. If the required treatment is not possible in the country, we will certainly send them abroad. And if necessary, we will bring specialists from abroad too."

It has not been possible to determine the exact number of persons injured in the July-August uprising. However, a list of 11,551 persons, whose names and details could be ascertained, has been published on the health directorate's website. The government says this is a draft list. Those on the list will receive necessary treatment free of cost.

The health advisor said, it has not been possible to provide treatment to many of those injured from 15 to 20-21 July, before the fall of the government. Many had been too scared to get admitted to hospital at that time and many had fled from hospital before their treatment was completed. There are also allegations that many were made to leave the hospitals.

Actual treatment was provided only after the government was toppled, from mid-August. But in the meantime, many have already undergone much harm. According to latest reports, there are still around 130 injured persons undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR - and better known as Pangu Hospital), BSMMU, the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

20 under treatment in Thailand

The health ministry's list indicates that 30 of the injured persons have been sent to four hospitals in Thailand and three in Singapore. Of them, 20 have been sent to Thailand, 10 to Singapore.

Nine of those sent to Singapore received pellet injuries in their eyes. One of them who received a bullet in his head, is suffering from brain haemorrhage. Of those sent to Thailand, some have been injured in the eyes, in the head, some have nerve and spinal injuries. Two have returned after completing treatment in Thailand.

Sajjad Hossain, a student of Pabna Textile Engineering College, was hit in the eye by a shotgun bullet on 4 August. He was first treated at Pabna and then at four hospitals in Dhaka. In the second week of December, the health ministry sent him to Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand. Sajjad returned home on 26 December after completion of his treatment. Speaking to Prothom Alo on Friday, he told Prothom Alo, "I have not regained sight in my left eye. Had I been sent for treatment earlier, I would have regained 50 to 60 per cent sight."

Seven-year-old Basit Khan Musa was shot in the head on 19 July in front of his home. On 22 October he was sent to Singapore National University Hospital. His father Mustafizur Rahman told Prothom Alo that his condition has improved after a few surgeries. He can now move his arm and leg on one side of his body.

China has committed to providing robotic physiotherapy to those injured during the mass uprising. The equipment for this purpose costs around Tk 120 million to Tk 130 million

Khokan to go to Russia

Khokan Chandra Barman's face is unrecognisable after being hit by a bullet. He has been under treatment at the National Burn Institute for about six months. His cheek and nose had been torn apart.

Khokan will receive treatment at the Moscow State University Clinic in Russia. The ministry officials hope that the physicians there will do all they can to restore Khokan's face to as it was before. They will first replace his cheek and then his nose. After that, various tissues of his face will be fixed. Khokan is to leave for Russia in the first week of February. Treatment will begin in the last week of March.

Advanced physiotherapy

Ministry officials say, China has committed to providing robotic physiotherapy to those injured during the mass uprising. The equipment for this purpose costs around Tk 120 million to Tk 130 million (Tk 12 to 13 crore). This robotic physiotherapy equipment, provided as a gift, will be set up Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Building at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Those injured in the mass uprising will be given priority to avail this service.

The ministry will procure two more robotic physiotherapy machines with their own funds from China. The officials say one will be set up in Chattogram and the other in Rangpur.

Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha, CEO of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation which was set up to assist the families of the July uprising martyrs and the injured, told Prothom Alo, the injured have been sent overseas on the basis of recommendations of the medical board. The government is bearing the expenses for this. July Shaheed Smriti Foundation is providing assistance with information concerning treatment abroad. Relatives of the injured are also going abroad and are applying for financial assistance in this regard. The foundation is providing financial assistance to such families.​

 

[Saif]

Injured protesters call off demo in front of CA residence

Earlier, they took position in front of the residence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus around midnight, breaching security barricades along the way

www.thedailystar.net

Injured protesters call off demo in front of CA residence

Photo: Anisur Rahman/Star

Protesters who were injured during last year's mass uprising called off their demonstration early today after receiving assurances that their demands will be met.

Earlier, they took position in front of the residence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus around midnight, breaching security barricades along the way.

Masud Alam, deputy commissioner (Ramna Division), said the protesters left the spot around 1:45am after Hasnat Abdullah, central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, gave them assurances.

One of the injured protesters, Monir Hasan, said Hasnat told them that some of the demands will be met this week and the remaining in the coming days.

"Now we are depending on the action of the government and his assurances."

Earlier, witnesses said dozens of protesters first broke through a barricade set up by the police near the Intercontinental Hotel in Shahbagh around midnight. They then tried to breach another barricade set up by the army near the State Guest House Jamuna, the residence of the chief adviser.

Photo: Anisur Rahman/Star

Law enforcers managed the situation non-violently. Siraj Uddin, a police official at Ramna Police Station, confirmed that police from Ramna division and other units have been sent to the spot.

Around 12:30am, Hasnat arrived and tried to calm the protesters.

Protesters vowed not to back down without written government assurance that their demands -- proper treatment, rehabilitation, and state recognition -- would be met. They also demanded that a representative of the chief adviser meet them.

Protesters gather in front Intercontinental Hotel in the capital last night. Photo: Prabir Das/Star

Earlier in the day, they blocked the Shishu Mela intersection in Shaymoli, issuing a 4:00pm ultimatum for a written commitment from the government. The blockade continued throughout the day.

By evening, protesters marched toward the chief adviser's residence but were stopped near the Intercontinental Hotel at 7:30pm, where they staged a sit-in.​

 

[Saif]

Injured uprising victims: Compensation caught up in red tape

Crippled and blinded, many July uprising protesters continue to suffer. The one-time assistance -- Tk 5 lakh for martyrs’ families and Tk 1 lakh for the wounded -- that was promised to them soon after the incumbent took over remains entangled in an utterly bureaucratic procedure.

www.thedailystar.net

Injured uprising victims: Compensation caught up in red tape
Family members continue to crowd July Smrity Foundation office for funds

Victims of the uprising taking treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. FILE PHOTO: STAR

Crippled and blinded, many July uprising protesters continue to suffer. The one-time assistance -- Tk 5 lakh for martyrs' families and Tk 1 lakh for the wounded -- that was promised to them soon after the incumbent took over remains entangled in an utterly bureaucratic procedure.

The series of approvals, seals and documents begins with obtaining a seal from a BCS doctor or hospital director on the application form. This form has to be accompanied by hospital tickets or discharge certificates bearing the seal of an MBBS doctor, ensuring the documents prove treatment was provided during the uprising period. Payment requires a bKash number linked with the patient's national identity card. In case that is unavailable, parents' bKash number will suffice, but needs to be verified by a doctor. The application must also have photographs of injuries or wounded areas.

"We've already incurred huge debts for my son's treatment. Still, we haven't received any money. If needed, I'll beg on the streets of Dhaka for my Omar."— Aradhan Begum, mother of injured victim Omar Faruk.

Once all these documents are ready, they have to be entered into the Management Information System (MIS) of a government hospital, upazila health complex or the Directorate General of Health Services. Thereafter, the civil surgeon and the deputy commissioner's (DC) office will need to verify the patient's permanent address. These documents then have to be submitted to the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation in person or via post, email or WhatsApp.

Families often make multiple trips across cities, burning through their savings. For those living outside Dhaka, the hurdles are even greater. Many reported having to visit the foundation seven to eight times, rejected each time for missing documents or unavailability of officials.

Often, the documents remain unattended in the civil surgeon or DC office, adding to their sufferings.

Besides, the hotline number of the foundation remains unreachable most of the time.

FOUNDATION OFFICE

This correspondent first visited the July foundation on a Saturday, January 25 only to find out that the office remains closed on weekends. So did 11 victims or family members who came for aid or information. They left empty-handed.

The next day at 3:00pm, there were dozens of people, including the injured and families of martyrs, waiting for aid.

In one corner was Aradhan Begum. She was sitting in a chair and crying. Aradhan's son Omar Faruk was shot in Paltan on July 28. It was her fourth visit.

Omar has already undergone one surgery and another is due in a few days. Aradhan's husband had passed away in 1997, leaving Omar as the sole bread winner.

This correspondent reviewed the verification status of Omar's documents, along with those of 11 others. All of them remain stuck at the civil surgeon's office in Noakhali.

Aradhan explains her quandary. Having come to Dhaka over 20 years ago, she has no connections in Noakhali. "But they're telling me to go there and deal with government officials."

She says she is not well-educated. "My son is all I had. It's very hard for me to handle this alone. How will I go to Noakhali now? We've already incurred huge debts for my son's treatment. Still, we haven't received any money. If needed, I'll beg on the streets of Dhaka for my Omar."

She arrived at the office at 12:00pm and left in tears at 5:00pm, without any progress.

Mohammad Belal, who was shot in Mohammadpur, had his leg amputated. But now he needs another procedure to take care of the infection that developed after the first surgery.

Belal's father was anxiously pacing about, speaking to officials to understand why his son's compensation was still held up.

Initially, he was told the civil surgeon had not verified the files. But when student activists raised the issue on Facebook and it went viral, they found out the files had been verified at the district after all. Apparently, the final approval was pending at the foundation.

Belal's father expressed his urgency for the verification to be expedited, as his son desperately needed the funds. The foundation, however, said they required a few more days.

The 60-year-old man had arrived at 10:00am and was still waiting for good news when this correspondent left at 5:45pm.

Another individual, shot with pellets, came from Bahaddarhaat in Chattogram. He had applied to the civil surgeon months ago but was recently informed that he could not receive funds as he had not provided photographs of his injuries.

"I don't have a mobile phone. I didn't have any pictures. Many pellets are still inside my body, and my medical documents confirm this. What's the need for pictures?"

He continued, "I came to the foundation on Saturday without knowing it would be closed." The young man had spent the night under the open sky at Kamalapur Railway Station. "I desperately need money for treatment," he managed to say breaking down into tears.

Many others echoed similar frustrations.

A staff member of the foundation, wishing anonymity, explained that the verification process is stringent to prevent fraud. He said delays primarily occur at the civil surgeon or DC office. He also said the foundation has only 35 employees, which is insufficient to manage such an operation.

STACKED AGAINST VICTIMS

Apart from the 20 people interviewed on the July foundation premises, this correspondent talked to about 50 victims between January 7 and January 25.

A few have already managed to secure the assistance, but said it came "at the cost of their dignity and time".

Many are still waiting, their applications stuck in the proverbial red tape.

For example, on January 22, journalist Torik Hasan Bappy shared a story on Facebook about Afnan Sabik. A student of Jagannath University, Afnan was wounded in the head and was still awaiting a donation.

The very next day, after the post went viral and caught the attention of the July foundation, they informed him that the spelling of his father's name was incorrect on one of the documents. As a result, he would have to restart the entire process from scratch.

The mistake was made by officials responsible for enlisting names of the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. But now Sabik has to suffer.

"First I went to DMCH to enlist my name. The officials gave me the runaround," said Sabik, explaining that he had practically gone round the entire hospital. "It is hard for me to describe."

"Then they sent me to Jashore to get a signature of the civil surgeon. The civil surgeon sat on my file for days. Then on one morning, a student coordinator of Jashore and the civil surgeon finally paid attention [due to the FB post]," Sabik added. "And now, I have to repeat the entire process because they made an error!"

Then there is the case of martyr Abdur Rahman.

His son, Faisal, had to make at least eight trips from Narayanganj to the foundation in Dhaka's Shahbagh to secure a cheque.

On his eighth visit, Faisal was told that a cheque had indeed been issued. But it was to Abdur Rahman's 110-year-old mother, who lives in Chapainawabganj. What is more, the foundation insisted that the frail, bedridden woman come to Dhaka to collect the cheque!

"How can my grandmother, who can't even move, travel to Dhaka?" Faisal wondered.

After the incident sparked outrage on social media, a "solution" was proposed: the cheque would be reissued to Abdur Rahman's wife. However, the money could only be cashed in Chapainawabganj, in the presence of the 110-year-old grandmother, under the supervision of the upazila nirbahi officer, who would ensure the funds were equitably distributed.

On January 23, Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, resigned as the foundation's general secretary.

The executive committee led by CEO Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho will now oversee the July foundation's operations.

Md Jahid Hossain, public relations officer of the foundation, said that the paperwork was very simple for the martyrs and the foundation includes three nominees -- father, mother, and wife. "However, it gets complicated selecting one nominee when everyone makes a claim."

As for the injured, the documents are first sent to the districts authorities. "Once they confirm, we begin our verification process." Jahid says there are typical types of complications. "Mismatch between the NID and the bKash number. Then, we have to obtain their bank details or another bKash account."

He admits there are delays. "But we must perform due diligence to ensure that no fake claimants get money. If someone faking injuries gets listed, it would be an insult to the real heroes."

He says besides the 35 employees at the foundation, there are 150 volunteers in the field who assist with the verification process.

So far, 673 martyr families and 2,396 injured protesters have received financial assistance, he said.​

The government has put the official death toll at 826 with some 11,000 wounded as of January.

 

[Saif]

Simplify the process of July victim compensation

Why are the injured, martyrs' families being made to suffer?

www.thedailystar.net

Simplify the process of July victim compensation
Why are the injured, martyrs' families being made to suffer?

VISUAL: STAR

It is disheartening that many individuals injured in the July uprising—and the families of those martyred—are still waiting for their promised compensation that remains entangled in bureaucratic red tape. With Tk 5 lakh set for martyrs' families and Tk 1 lakh for the wounded, the one-time financial assistance should have been easier to access, yet the process of getting compensation continues to throw up challenges.

It begins with securing a seal from a BCS doctor or hospital director on the application form, which must be accompanied by hospital tickets or discharge certificates bearing an MBBS doctor's seal. Additionally, applicants must provide photographs of their injuries as well as a bKash number linked to their national ID for payment. These documents must then be entered into the Management Information System of a government hospital, upazila health complex, or the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Thereafter, the civil surgeon and deputy commissioner's office must verify the patient's permanent address before the documents can be submitted to the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation via post, email, WhatsApp, or in person.

However, inefficiencies in government offices and hospitals—coupled with bureaucratic hurdles—have turned this process into an exhausting ordeal. Reportedly, families are often forced to make multiple trips across cities, spending large sums of money. For those living outside Dhaka, the situation gets even worse, with many reporting that they had to visit the July foundation seven or eight times due to missing documents or the unavailability of officials. Numerous additional complications have also been reported, making the compensation claim process not just difficult but also deeply humiliating.

Officials say that the strict procedures are necessary to prevent fraud and other irregularities. But the inefficiency of the system is undeniable, and they cannot shirk responsibility for it. It is unacceptable that after enduring immense suffering during the uprising, victims and their families must now face further hardship simply to receive the support they deserve.

Under these circumstances, we must reiterate our call for the authorities to simplify and expedite the compensation process. If the current workforce engaged in this process is inadequate, it must be expanded immediately. The authorities must also investigate why deserving recipients are facing such difficulties and take immediate corrective measures.​

 

[Saif]

Tax exemption on fees for foreign physicians treating injured in July uprising

Taxes also waived on physicians' hotel accommodation, food, and airfares

www.thedailystar.net

Tax exemption on fees for foreign physicians treating injured in July uprising
Taxes also waived on physicians' hotel accommodation, food, and airfares

Representational image. File photo

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday exempted taxes on fees paid by the government to foreign physicians treating individuals injured during the students' movement against discrimination in July of last year.

In a notification, the tax authority also waived taxes on hotel accommodation, food, and airfares for specialist doctors coming to the country to treat injured individuals, including students.

The NBR's latest move follows its earlier offering of a value-added tax (VAT) exemption on fees and consultancy charges for foreign doctors visiting Bangladesh to treat individuals injured in the July uprising, which led to the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government in August last year.​

 

[Saif]

Time to Act: A one-stop solution for uprising victims is moral imperative

The state is sending them from one office to another, from one city to another

www.thedailystar.net

Time to Act: A one-stop solution for uprising victims is moral imperative

Photo: Prabir Das

A recent report in The Daily Star details bureaucratic hurdles that July uprising victims face in order to be recognised and compensated.

Rather than arriving at their doorsteps [or hospital beds] with gratitude, the state sends them from one office to another, from one city to another.

In a twist of irony, a frustrated survivor said he would rather have died. The injured protester had told me, "I wish I had died rather than having to go through all this."

These words serve as an indictment for the government, the so called Bangladesh 2.0, which came into existence on the backs of their sacrifices.

The current approach, forcing survivors or martyr families to gather the documents and travel from one city to another, reveals an utter lack of empathy and foresight. The July uprising heroes are not beggars asking for charity. The compensation promised to them is not a gift but a recognition and the least we could do. It is a fundamental duty of the state to ensure these payments are delivered swiftly and efficiently. Instead, the victims are treated as though they must prove their worth before anyone lifts a finger.

The health minister's recent comments on this issue are emblematic of the insensitivity at play.

She provided details of the crores spent on the treatment of a few of the injured. This is deeply tone-deaf. This framing turns what should be an obligation of the state into a narrative of benevolence, as though the government's actions are acts of generosity rather than duty. It is as though the quantum of money is synonymous to sincerity.

A clear and effective solution lies in establishing one-stop service centres for processing compensation claims so that survivors or martyr families do not have to shuttle between hospitals, civil surgeon or DC offices, and the July foundation.

The inefficiencies and insensitivity of the current system are unacceptable.

Victims like Omar Faruk, Akash Bepari's wife Lucky, and countless others deserve better. They should not have to beg on the streets, spend nights at railway stations, or make repeated, fruitless visits to unresponsive offices.

The state has failed them first by killing or incapacitating their loved ones, and now, it continues to fail them by delaying their recognition.

It is time for the government to act decisively.

The need for the hour is a system that works for the victims, not against them.​

 

[Saif]

July uprising victims urged to submit medical bills for compensation

the injured must submit their applications and medical bills either to the mass uprising special cell or the civil surgeon offices in their respective districts

www.thedailystar.net

July uprising victims urged to submit medical bills for compensation

File photo: Collected

The government has invited students and civilians injured during the July-August mass uprising to submit their medical expense claims for reimbursement if they received treatment at private hospitals.

According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department (PID) today, the injured must submit their applications and medical bills either to the mass uprising special cell or the civil surgeon offices in their respective districts.

The required application forms are available on the special cell's official website: www.musc.portal.gov.bd.

Once submitted, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will review claims received by the special cell, while those submitted at civil surgeon offices will first be scrutinised by the respective civil surgeons before being forwarded to the special cell for final processing.

The reimbursement process follows a decision taken during a Health Services Division meeting on January 9, which focussed on medical treatment for the injured and the distribution of health cards among them.

The initiative is being implemented as per instructions from the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, which directed the special cell to facilitate the compensation process.

The mass uprising special cell formally announced the reimbursement procedure in a notification signed by its head, Joint Secretary Mashiur Rahman, on Wednesday.​

 

[Saif]

Mass Uprising: Injured block Shahbagh for removal of Category C

A group of people injured in the July-August mass uprising blocked the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Monday, demanding the removal of Category C, which was created by the government for their treatment.

www.newagebd.net

Mass Uprising: Injured block Shahbagh for removal of Category C
Staff Correspondent 18 February, 2025, 00:36

The injured and family members of the deceased in the July uprising hold a sit-in, blocking road, for correction of ‘discrimination’ in category of the injured and realisation of rights of the victim families at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Monday. | Sony Ramani

A group of people injured in the July-August mass uprising blocked the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Monday, demanding the removal of Category C, which was created by the government for their treatment.

Protesters, who blocked the road around 2:00pm, disrupting traffic movement through the intersection and causing long tailbacks on adjacent roads, mentioned that the Category C was discriminatory for them.

They also said that they would continue the sit-in until their demands were met.

A protesting injured, Md Arman, told New Age that the government has created three categories – A, B and C – for the treatment of those injured in the uprising.

But those under Category C will not receive the same facilities as those in Category A and B, he mentioned, adding that many people with severe internal injuries had been placed in Category C.

Md Sujon, who was shot in the abdomen in front of Bangshal police station on August 5 and lost parts of his liver, said that doctors advised him to avoid heavy work for at least three years. ‘But I am responsible for earning a livelihood for my ailing father and sister.’

‘I do not know why I have been placed in Category C when my condition is the worst. I will never be able to lead a normal life,’ said the 21-year-old, adding that he was now driving an auto-rickshaw to support his family, despite the difficulties.

Meanwhile, United News of Bangladesh reported that Liberation War Affairs adviser Farooq-e-Azam told the media on Monday that severely injured victims categorised in the Category-A would receive lifelong medical care and a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000 along with a one-time payment of Tk 5 lakh.

He added that individuals in Category-B, who have lost a limb, will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 15,000 and a one-time payment of Tk 3 lakh, while those in Category-C, injured victims who have recovered after treatment, will be prioritised for employment and rehabilitation programmes but will not receive any allowance.

The other two demands raised by the protesters include introduction of a special law to protect the injured and families of the martyrs and a toll free hotline service to ensure proper treatment for the injured in the remote areas.

According to the government data, 834 people were killed and 11,551 injured during the mass uprising. The government is still updating the data.​