Doctors are also heroes of July Uprising: CA Yunus

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today (28 July) said doctors who performed their duties in July are not just doctors, they are also heroes of the July Uprising.

"You are a living symbol of courage, humanity and a sense of responsibility. We will never forget the services you have rendered during the difficult time," he said in a video message to the health workers at the July commemoration programme for health workers serving the injured July fighters at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Centre.

Expressing deep shock and sorrow over the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash into Milestone School and College at the beginning of his speech, Prof Yunus said, "This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation."

He prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of jet crash victims and wished a speedy recovery of those who are still lying in hospital beds.

"This terrible accident has once again reminded us of the contribution of doctors and health workers, the greatness of their profession. When there is only panic, tears and unknown fears around, you are our light of hope," he said.

On behalf of the nation, the chief adviser also expressed his gratitude to those who are forgetting their fatigue and serving the injured.

Stating that physicians never stop treatment of the injured even during a war, Prof Yunus said, "This is recognised by international law. We have seen an exception to this in Bangladesh, during the days of the mass uprising in July 2024, the fascist government did not stop shooting at the chests of the students, workers and people of this country, they tried their best to ensure that no one got treatment in the hospital."

"The story of our medical warriors in July is comparable to the story of doctors on any battlefield. Even when students were beaten on the street and bloodied, they were attacked, doctors and nurses were threatened and obstructed in various ways. Hundreds of children have gone blind because they did not receive treatment at the right time," he said.

Stating that doctors and nurses risked their lives and gave their best to treat the July fighters, the chief adviser said, "The order was that no one injured in the movement would be treated in the hospital. You, the doctors, treated the injured secretly through the back gate. An arrest operation was conducted in the hospital. CCTV footage and registrar books were also being taken," he said.

"At that time, doctors and nurses risked their lives and gave their best to treat the July fighters. They did not even keep any patient information in the records, because the injured were being arrested based on these documents. You treated the protesters who were shot day and night for free, at the highest risk. We saw two doctor sisters who set up a temporary clinic in their garages and provided treatment, and many others set up a temporary clinic in their homes and provided treatment," said Prof Yunus.

He also mentioned that doctors came forward to save lives even in the face of danger.

The chief adviser said, "You yourselves were in danger, your families were in danger, yet you came forward to save people's lives by overcoming obstacles like mountains. There was a blood shortage for the injured, you arranged blood without the administration's prying eyes. To keep the identities of the injured secret, you hid them from the police by mentioning other names and information about other diseases in the prescriptions."

"Private doctors went to government hospitals on their own initiative and provided treatment secretly, avoiding the eyes of the administration. There was no provision of equipment for donating blood; you arranged these yourself. You also provided medicines like antibiotics and pain killers yourself," he said.

Prof Yunus expressed gratitude and respect to all the health workers and doctors who performed their duties in July on behalf of the nation.