Three hospitals ‘held hostage’ as discharged July uprising injured keep occupying beds

The National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, the country's only specialised eye hospital, has been closed for 14 days due to a standoff between hospital staff and patients injured during the July uprising.

Since 28 May, only those injured in the July movement have been admitted, with food supplied to them by the hospital. Although the Ministry of Health has ordered the hospital to reopen fully from Saturday, doubts remain over whether operations will return to normal.

The eye hospital is not the only institution affected.

The Cabin Block of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and two wards of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) are also occupied by injured patients from the July movement.

Hospital authorities describe themselves as being effectively "held hostage" by these patients who have already been discharged but refuse to leave.

Earlier this year, unrest related to the movement led to the transfer of BMU's director in January and clashes with outsourcing staff at Nitor in March.

According to hospital officials and the Ministry of Health, over half of the estimated 14,000 people injured in the July unrest have recovered and returned home.

At present, about 200 patients remain admitted across the three hospitals.

Most of these patients no longer require hospitalisation but remain in the facilities, despite being discharged multiple times. Some who left during the Eid-ul-Adha holiday have also indicated their intention to return.

These patients' continued presence has reportedly hindered the admission of general patients.

Highlights: TBS

Hospital staff report poor behaviour from the injured patients towards doctors, nurses, and other personnel, worsening an already difficult environment.

Despite informing the Ministry of Health, hospital authorities say they have been unable to resolve the situation.

On 4 June, a medical board composed of leading eye specialists examined the patients at the ophthalmology institute and issued discharge certificates.

However, the patients tore up the documents and refused to leave. Currently, only two to three patients remain at the hospital, keeping the collapsible gate of the fourth-floor ward locked from the inside.

Hillol, a July injured patient treated at NIOH and currently at home after one month's discharge, said, "The allegations that we are occupying the hospital are false. We genuinely need to stay admitted. Many had to return after going home due to severe pain, and in many cases, their eyes had to be removed later.

"We want to leave, but the doctors do not tell us when our treatment will end or whether we will fully recover."

Zane Alam, acting director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology, told The Business Standard, "The fear among doctors and nurses has not completely disappeared yet, but we are trying to restore their confidence. [Tuesday] morning, five people took food, but our security staff could not confirm how many remained inside.

"They keep the collapsible gate locked from inside and do not respond to calls, only accepting food during mealtimes."

He added, "They stay in a ward on the third floor. No one wants to enter their ward. Even the cooks are being harassed by them. At this moment, none of them needs to be admitted. Top eye specialists from Bangladesh's largest eye institutions have examined them and said they can continue treatment at home and visit nearby eye hospitals if problems arise."

'Cannot be ignored, nor accommodated'

Dr Md Abul Kenan, director of Nitor, explained the dilemma facing hospital authorities, saying, "Those injured in the July movement have done great work for the country, so they cannot be ignored, nor can they be fully accommodated. The situation is difficult."

He said 31 injured patients remain admitted at Nitor.

"They are not fully recovered, but most do not need hospital admission. They can continue treatment at home and come for outpatient follow-ups occasionally. Only a small number require further surgery or removal of implants."

Dr Kenan noted that while 74 patients were admitted during Eid, most have since been discharged, though many have not left. "If they leave, their importance might decrease. Those who left said they will return after Eid."

He added, "The injured patients lack faith in our treatment, although foreign medical teams have confirmed proper care is being given here. Due to mental trauma, their patience is low; they often get angry and swear. Staff have complained, but I urge them to be patient to avoid daily fights. We will see how the situation develops."

"The injured want to recover quickly, and many wish to go abroad for treatment. However, sending them abroad requires observing their progress for six to nine months. Without this, they might spend months waiting overseas before surgery, increasing costs. The patients do not want to wait. After Eid, we will reassess who should be sent abroad."

'It has become like a club'

At BMU, 56 injured patients occupy two floors of the Cabin Block, which has 80 cabins.

According to Professor Dr Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the injured patients prevent general admissions by occupying cabins.

"They have been offered various jobs but refuse to work. They want to stay in the hospital. It has become a kind of club or meeting place," Dr Sayedur said.

"By remaining in the hospital after discharge, beds are occupied, and other patients cannot be admitted. Their behaviour towards doctors and nurses is distressing," he added.

Dr Sayedur further said, "The government will arrange rehabilitation, including employment, but cannot provide housing. Many ask, 'Where will we stay?' but the hospital cannot answer. Providing housing in Dhaka is not feasible."

He stressed, "No one in this country has ever been forcibly removed after being discharged. What to do if someone refuses to leave after discharge remains unclear. With difficulty, we have started limited emergency and outpatient services at the ophthalmology hospital and hope to reopen fully from next Saturday."

Regarding Nitor, he said, "Many patients do not require hospital admission. The hospital must provide treatment, but some say they want to go to America. One patient recently attempted suicide in front of a director's room."

He added historical context, "The July uprising is unprecedented in the country's history. I do not compare, but for understanding, freedom fighters received limited benefits after 30 years, such as Tk300.

"The July injured have received financial aid, with about 80% of intended beneficiaries supported. Remaining aid will be provided in July."

"Those requiring treatment abroad have been sent; 54 patients have gone abroad so far, and 17 remain on the list. From our side, there has been no fault in treatment," he added.