Amid clashes surrounding the quota reform movement in government jobs, it has been reported that 6,703 people were injured in the capital. They received treatment at 31 government and private hospitals. These patients arrived at hospitals between July 16 and 22.
Some individuals came to the hospitals with injuries from bricks, stones, sticks, or rods. However, more people were injured by birdshots, rubber bullets, or bullets. Additionally, some came due to sickness from tear gas, and others were injured by sound grenades.
The clashes were not confined to the area around Dhaka University and its vicinity. Significant clashes occurred in Uttara, Badda-Rampura, Mirpur, Jatrabari-Shonir Akhra, Mohammadpur-Basila, and Dhanmondi. It is assumed that the injured sought initial treatment at hospitals close to these areas.
From July 23 to 27, Prothom Alo representatives visited a total of 38 government and private hospitals in the capital and spoke with the authorities. Among these, nine were government hospitals, and the remaining 29 were private hospitals. However, seven private hospitals did not provide any information. The exact number of injured individuals is still unknown.
Some patients left the hospital after receiving initial treatment, while more severe cases had to stay for one or two days. Many patients are still in the hospitals, and some have died there. The hospital authorities could not fully collect the information on all injured individuals. In some cases, hospitals treated and immediately discharged the patients without having the time or opportunity to record their names, addresses, and ages.
On the afternoon of July 23, Major (Retd.) Md. Hafizul Islam, Deputy Director of Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital, told Prothom Alo that there was a surge of patients, making it impossible to keep everyone’s information.
Most Patients at the Orthopedic Hospital
The highest number of injured individuals received treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) or Pangu Hospital. Data collected on July 23 shows that 1,269 people received treatment there between July 17 and 22. Among them, 231 were injured by gunshots. 537 people were admitted for treatment, meaning 42% of the patients needed to be admitted.
In any major clash or disaster, most of the injured seek treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. On the afternoon of July 23, Brigadier General Md. Asaduzzaman, Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, informed Prothom Alo that 1,071 people had received treatment there.
However, it is believed that many more received treatment at this facility, and it was not possible to keep records of all.
Prothom Alo representatives visited seven other government hospitals besides Dhaka Medical College and Pangu Hospital. These include Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka, three hospitals in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, and National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital), National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital in Mohakhali, Mugda Medical College Hospital, and Bangladesh Kuwait Friendship Hospital in Uttara. These nine government hospitals treated 4,110 individuals.
Private Hospitals
2,593 people received treatment at 22 private hospitals. The highest number of injured individuals was treated at Farazy Hospital in Rampura. Rubel Hossain, Deputy Director of the hospital, informed Prothom Alo that 950 injured patients sought treatment there. Among them, 300 arrived on July 18, 600 on July 19, and 50 on July 20. He mentioned that these patients were given initial treatment and discharged.
The other 21 private hospitals include three in Dhanmondi (Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital, Bangladesh Medical, and Ibn Sina Hospital), five in Uttara (Uttara Crescent Hospital, High-Care General Hospital, Shin-Shin Japan Hospital, Lubna General Hospital & Cardiac Center, and Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital), four in Rampura-Badda (Nagarik Specialized Hospital, Advance Hospital, Delta Health Care, and East View Hospital & Lab), three in Shonir Akhra and Jatrabari (Pro-Active Hospital, Islamia Hospital, and Salman Hospital), Al-Manar Hospital in Mohammadpur, Alok Hospital and Marks Medical College Hospital in Mirpur, Lions Eye Hospital in Agargaon, and Dhaka National Medical College Hospital in Old Dhaka. Information for Syed Monsoor Ali Medical College Hospital in Uttara was obtained via phone from two sources.
Eye Injuries
During the clashes, the police used birdshot along with other firearms. Many were injured in the eyes by birdshot. Prothom Alo representatives visited three hospitals where patients sought treatment for eye injuries: the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and private Lions Eye Hospital.
424 individuals came to the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital with eye injuries, 41 to Dhaka Medical, and 150 to Lions Eye Hospital. These three hospitals treated 615 people for eye injuries. Some patients had injuries in one eye, while others had both eyes injured.
Many of these injured individuals had to undergo or will need to undergo eye surgery. A senior doctor involved in these surgeries, who wished to remain anonymous, told Prothom Alo last Sunday evening that many would not regain their sight.
Information Not Obtained
No information was obtained from seven private hospitals. However, people in the vicinity mentioned that injured individuals had visited these hospitals. It is reported that there was pressure on these hospitals not to provide any information to journalists or others.
An official from one of these hospitals told Prothom Alo on July 26 that local police approval was required to provide any information. Another hospital official mentioned that the police had taken the hospital’s CCTV footage, but the reason was unknown.
The hospitals that did not provide information include Al-Razi Islami Hospital, Better Life Hospital, and Bangladesh MultiCare Hospital in Rampura-Badda, Cure Consultation, Safe Aid, and Anabil Hospital in Jatrabari-Shonir Akhra, and Asgar Ali Hospital in Old Dhaka.
[Information was gathered with assistance from Ahmadul Hasan, Suhada Afrin, Pradeep Sarkar, and Drinjo Chambrugoong.]
