Students demand treatment abroad for injuries during uprising

Students from various universities, under the banner "Empowering Our Fighters", have demanded immediate arrangements to send people injured during the recent uprising abroad for medical treatment.

During a press conference held at the Dhaka University Central Students' Union auditorium today (4 October), they called for the formation of a dedicated government body to avoid delays in treating those injured during the student-led mass uprising.

The students also placed a six-point demand for the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded individuals, stressing the need for full government supervision.

The students highlighted the suffering of injured people in hospitals and urged the government to ensure complete treatment and rehabilitation for each patient.

"The government must guarantee a dignified life for the wounded and oversee their rehabilitation," said Sakibur Rahman Rony, the platform's organising secretary, while reading out a written statement.

One of their key demands is to either send the injured abroad for treatment or bring foreign medical equipment and specialists to Bangladesh. They also called for special allocations from the government for hospitals and related institutions, along with broad reforms in the health sector to address ongoing deficiencies.

Rony added, "A feasible roadmap must be presented, encompassing both short and long-term measures to realise the aspirations of the mass uprising. Open dialogue between the government and the student-people must also be held regularly."

The students expressed frustration over the government's response, saying that while there were clear instructions to minimise hospital bills, private hospitals have not been considerate, and some government hospitals have reportedly shown a lack of sincerity in treating the injured.

They criticised the government for instructing hospitals to provide free treatment to the injured without ensuring adequate financial support. As a result, hospitals are relying on donations and private arrangements to carry out the treatment.

The press conference was also addressed by Edul Foysal, Koli Kayez, and several injured individuals from the movement, including Mohammad Sharif, Motiur Rahman, Israfil Majumder, Al Amin, and Saiful Islam.