Services remain suspended at ophthalmology institute for 4th day, patients returning without treatment
Hospital staff have been on a work stoppage since Wednesday morning, demanding increased security following a clash with the injured protesters of the July Uprising
Services at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) in Dhaka's Agargaon have remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day.
Patients are returning without receiving treatment, with the hospital gates remaining closed today (31 May) as well.
Authorities have not yet announced when the hospital will reopen.
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"We are in contact with relevant departments to normalise the situation. Doctors and staff are reluctant to return to work until security is ensured," said Dr Zan-E-Alam, the acting director of the hospital.
"The matter of ensuring doctors' security has been discussed with the adviser, but no assurance has been received yet," he added.
The acting director said hospital authorities are trying to resume medical services quickly, but they must also remain vigilant to prevent any undesirable situation from recurring.
According to hospital sources, the chaos began on Wednesday morning (28 May) when a group of July injured reportedly attacked hospital staff, who were protesting to demand increased security.
The sporadic clashes left at least 15 doctors, nurses, and employees of the eye hospital injured, said the hospital's Director Prof Dr Khair Ahmed Chowdhury on Wednesday.
Dr Khair told TBS that a group of the July injured attacked the staff, and they were attacking anyone they could find.
In the aftermath, hospital staff began a work stoppage Wednesday morning to demand increased security.
Witnesses reported that attackers used sticks and rods to break windows of the hospital's residential quarters. The operation theatre and the anaesthesia department were also reportedly vandalised.
The July Uprising injured, however, rejected the allegations.
