Roadmap unveiled for treatment, rehabilitation of July uprising victims 

The interim government will issue unique ID cards to the July uprising victims, ensuring their access to lifetime priority medical treatment at public hospitals free of charge.

"Services unavailable at public facilities will be provided free of charge through selected private institutions under specific agreements," said Prof Dr Sayedur Rahman, special assistant for the health ministry, during a press conference today.

The event was jointly organised by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation and the health ministry at the BSL Building in Dhaka.

Dr Rahman presented a roadmap for the treatment and rehabilitation of the injured, emphasising that a multidisciplinary hospital would provide the most effective solution.

He further explained that the cabin and outdoor facilities at the state-owned Super Specialised Hospital and the BSMMU have been structured to deliver these services.

The designated hospitals will act as one-stop service centres, equipped with the necessary medical departments. Additionally, support from experts in public and private institutions, as well as Bangladeshi specialists abroad, will be arranged if required, he added.

Rehabilitation initiatives

According to Dr Rahman, as part of the roadmap, a residential facility near Shahbagh has been rented to accommodate the families and attendants of injured individuals.

BSMMU's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will oversee physiotherapy services. Arrangements are also being made to integrate robotic physiotherapy at specialised hospitals, if necessary.

For patients requiring advanced treatment abroad, the need and justification for overseas transfers will be evaluated by expert committees at the respective hospitals.

The July Martyrs Memorial Foundation's review committee will provide recommendations, with final decisions to be made at the ministry level. Efforts to facilitate overseas treatment are ongoing and will continue.

The ceiling for initial financial assistance has been increased from Tk1 lakh to Tk3 lakh, depending on categorisation.

To address mental trauma among those injured during the protests, a central facility will be established at the Institute of Mental Health. This initiative will involve experts from both the government and private sectors.

Screening will be conducted via telemedicine, while in-person counselling services will also be provided.

During the press conference, Sarjis Alam, general secretary of the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation and a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced that the list of martyrs and injured individuals from the uprising will be verified and published by 31 December.