Ministry allocates Tk2cr to BSMMU for free treatment of those injured during student movement

The finance ministry has allocated Tk2 crore to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to cover medical tests, medicines, and food for providing free treatment to those injured in the July-August uprising.

The health ministry has also formed a special cell to gather information on the injured and martyred students and civilians from the uprising and to facilitate treatment abroad for those seriously injured.

Finance ministry officials said after the interim government pledged free medical care for those injured in the uprising, the Health Services Division requested Tk2 crore for treatment expenses. The ministry approved the allocation on 24 October, designating it solely for injured students and civilians receiving care at BSMMU.

As part of the medical treatment for those injured during the movement, Tk45 lakh has been allocated to renovate all the cabins on two floors of a hospital building. Additionally, a little over Tk1 crore has been designated for necessary medicines, lab tests, implants or devices, procedures, and food.

In a notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 23 October, a three-member special cell has been established to expedite the process of collecting information on those injured and martyred. The cell was formed following a decision made during the Advisory Council meeting on 17 October.

The joint secretary (Administration) will serve as a member, while the deputy secretary (Hospital) will act as the member secretary, with the additional secretary (Hospital) convening the cell. 

According to the terms of reference, the cell will undertake necessary actions to finalise the list of martyrs from the uprising. It will verify and incorporate the list compiled by the health ministry along with data obtained from other sources. 

To gather information about the martyrs, the cell will conduct on-the-spot enquiries across the country as needed and seek assistance from local stakeholders. This cell will also ensure that those injured in the uprising receive proper treatment at hospitals. 

In addition to providing essential support to the families of the martyrs and the injured, it will assist the health ministry in facilitating treatment for seriously injured individuals abroad. 

The scope of work for the special cell states, "The special cell will implement necessary measures to collect and preserve the significant history of the July-August uprising."

To achieve this, it will undertake systematic information gathering and documentation, collecting photographs, videos, speeches, and articles published in both print and electronic media, as well as reports related to the mass uprising. 

The cell will also collect, validate, and store required data from cloud sources, with close cooperation from local administrations. Furthermore, it will provide necessary assistance in producing documentaries about the uprising. The cell will verify information published in the media regarding the uprising and will issue protest letters to correct any inaccuracies।