National Eye Institute closed for 4 days, patients asked to seek care at nearby hospitals

Services at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Dhaka's Agargaon have remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day. The health ministry could not confirm when the hospital would reopen. 

As an interim measure, the ministry has requested patients in need of eye treatment to visit the ophthalmology departments of nearby hospitals.

In a press release issued this afternoon, the ministry stated that full-scale services at the Eye Institute would resume only after a conducive environment for providing care is re-established.

According to the press release, doctors and other service providers at the institute have been feeling extremely unsafe since allegedly being attacked inside the hospital on 28 May. 

The ministry noted that since the formation of the interim government, the hospital's specialist doctors had been providing the highest level of care. However, in light of the unfortunate incident, services at the hospital have been suspended since 28 May due to safety concerns. 

Most of the patients admitted at the time have since left the hospital, with only the "July uprising injured" group still remaining.

The statement also mentioned that although general services are suspended, meals for the July injured are still being supplied through special arrangements out of respect for them. Nonetheless, services for eye patients arriving from across the country have been severely disrupted. The ministry expressed regret to all patients deprived of care.

To resolve the ongoing crisis, a delegation has been sent to the National Institute of Ophthalmology. The delegation is in discussions regarding ensuring the safety of medical specialists and staff in light of the presence of the July injured. The ministry said it was awaiting a positive outcome from the discussions.

The hospital has remained empty since Wednesday afternoon following a violent clash between a group of July uprising injured and hospital staff.

At least 15 doctors, nurses, and hospital employees were injured in clashes, according to Hospital Director Prof Dr Khair Ahmed Chowdhury.

The chaos began Wednesday morning when a group of July injured reportedly attacked hospital staff who were protesting for better security, hospital sources said. 

Witnesses reported that the attackers used sticks and metal rods to break windows of the hospital's residential quarters. The operation theatre and the anaesthesia department were also reportedly vandalised.

The uprising injured, however, denied the allegations saying it was them who were beaten.

An anonymous nurse told TBS, "We've been treating the injured for the past nine months, but they've taken the entire hospital hostage and are running it on their terms. They've occupied around 100 beds across three wards. Other patients can't get admitted. 

"They celebrate their birthdays, even New Year's Eve. Everything must be done the way they say. At the slightest issue, they beat up our staff. There's no environment for us to work in. Nurses feel unsafe going on night duty in their area."

She added, "We're exhausted from enduring this abuse. Do staff ever shut down a hospital? Do you think we feel good seeing patients return helpless? We feel unsafe."

Dr Sayedur Rahman, the special assistant to the chief adviser for the health ministry, told the media today, "The healthcare providers don't feel safe. The July injured group gave us a list of people — 11 staff members including five doctors — who they said are not allowed to enter the hospital. 

"Today we sent different staff members to deliver food. The injured then asked for their names and home addresses. This has created panic among the staff. They don't feel safe working at the hospital."