Nearly six months later, injured protesters still face uncertainties
Amidst various steps being taken by the government to heal the injured July protesters’ pains, many of them continue to face uncertainties when it comes to their future
By late September last year, Mita Khatom was restless at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) at Agargaon. In one of the wards, she lay listlessly on a vacant bed. She sprang up and rushed out at the sight of a probable donation passing through the corridor.
By then, Mita was among the many attendants navigating uncertainties for over two months. These uncertainties included whether there would be surgery, whether her husband would regain full eyesight, whether they would have to come back to the hospital, who would pay the bills at home, and whether her husband could go back to working as an easy-bike driver in Bagerhat, their hometown.
Her husband, Mollik Hafizur Rahman (Liton) , a 40 year old, is among the eye gunshot victims from the July uprising. In the initial months, he also suffered from partial paralysis in the right arm.
Liton's paralysis condition with his pellet-struck, impaired left eye improved over time through the multiple visits to and fro Bagerhat and NIOH. Eventually, Liton would travel alone to Dhaka for follow-ups. The couple has two young school-going children and Liton was the sole breadwinner.
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Around mid-December, a frantic Mita over the phone said Liton had a heart attack and was admitted to Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital in Khulna. "The doctors said he needs 14 injections and medication, it will cost us over Tk10,000. They also said I need to take him to Dhaka within the month for an angiogram and then place a ring [inside the heart]" she said.
Did you contact the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation? "No," a nearly hysterical Mita replied.
Speaking to at least more than 70 injured individuals and/or their families of the July uprising across NIOH and the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) since August last year — their apprehension remains crystal clear.
Given how most of these families travel to the respective hospitals from outside the capital and they have either had their sole source of income severed or burdened with additional life-long change, Tk1 lakh — received by many of the injured from the July Foundation already — barely scratches the surface despite 'free treatment' at the public hospitals.
State of 'injured' affairs
Mita said they have to travel to Dhaka because the medical treatment her husband needs is not available in public hospitals in Bagerhat. The couple intends to travel by next Friday.
She also explained why during those initial critical days, she did not contact the July Foundation although Liton had been a recipient of Tk1 lakh in October. "I don't have any number to call. They never contacted us afterwards," she said, she intends to make contact when she can once in Dhaka.
Dinajpur's 14-year-old Abu Sayeed was one of the admitted patients at NIOH in late September as well. He was not shot but attacked by a brickbat sustaining injuries to his eye in early August. His father said earlier in October that they relied on donations to get by. "Our ward was at the back, we got a little amount of donations — maybe Tk30,000."
Sayeed's father, Saiful Islam was referring to private donations made by individuals.
By late October, Saiful managed money for both their passports. "I will take my son abroad for treatment," he said, "I am waiting for the [Indian] visa centre to open." At the time, he did not submit his application for the Tk1 lakh fund from the July Foundation. The apprehension for his son's future and frustration because of the lacklustre treatment was palpable.
But eventually, he pivoted to new plans and made the application – by early December, Abu Sayeed received Tk1 lakh. Since late August to date, Abu Sayeed had to make six trips to Dhaka's NIOH, underwent at least one surgery and still remains completely blind in his right eye.
Abu Sayeed's older brother, a madrasa student at Jatrabari, moved back home during the uprising. "He has lost friends as well," recounted Saiful, adding, "and later we could not send him back, cannot afford the expenses."
Saiful, the sole breadwinner who owns a tong and another mudir dokan, still remains in Tk2 lakh debt incurred for Abu Sayeed's treatment and expenses despite the July Foundation fund and private donations.
According to reports, the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation provided financial assistance totalling TK47.33 crore to 2,229 families. Among them, Tk29.05 crore was distributed to 581 Shaheed families, and Tk14.13 crore was allocated to 1,424 injured individuals.
This fund is distributed from the Tk100 crore announced by Professor Yunus on 10 September 2024 for those injured and the families of the martyrs of the July Uprising. The Yunus-led July Shaheed Smrity Foundation is to disburse it.
The Foundation is made up of 20 people with a small team dedicated to the verification process of those injured and martyred.
In mid-November last year, a 13-hour protest by those injured took place in front of NITOR. The demonstrators demanded swift treatment airing out their frustration. This protest also brought the July Foundation Secretary Sargis, the convenor Snigdho and several advisors on site. They apologised for the delays and pledged expedited treatment.
It also resulted in a lot of media attention including TV channels interviewing many of the admitted NITOR patients.
Md Munir Hossain, a 32-year-old garment worker from Gazipur, was one of the individuals interviewed. TBS has been following his story since 14 August 2024. "Since I was shot on 20 July, I've spent only nine days outside this hospital," he shared. "After the protest in mid-November, not much changed. But since the hospital director changed about a month ago, I can say things have improved a little."
After 12 surgeries and with two shot legs, "I feel as though my left leg will not improve as much. I have told the doctors to include my name, I think about five to six people will be flown out (for foreign medical treatment). Let's see what they say."
Munir's wife and child stay with him at the hospital, while his father-in-law and cousin visit regularly. "My left leg isn't healing properly. They keep adjusting the screws on the external fixation device, telling me to rest, then doing an X-ray, but it's always the same result," Munir shared.
But there's no improvement. "They (doctors) whisper, they are not clear with what needs to be done," he added.
Falling through the stats
Recently, NITOR Director Dr Md Abul Kenan informed the Chief Adviser that, so far, 21 patients have had to have their hands or feet amputated in their hospital. Some patients have been selected to be taken abroad, he said. And, most of the patients undergoing treatment will gradually recover and none of them are at risk of death.
NITOR has treated approximately 500 cases so far.
Meanwhile, the NIOH Director Prof Khair Ahmed Chowdhury informed the CA that, so far, 1,074 people have received treatment at the hospital. Of them, 39 have lost both eyes permanently and about 450 have one eye damaged.
Beyond these two hospitals which treated the highest number of injured cases from the July uprising, also remain critical cases.
By late November, five injured individuals were flown abroad for advanced medical treatment. At the time, 12-year-old Arafat Hossen was being treated at CMH in the capital. His case was a critical one with damaged lungs and spine who was shot in the ribs, according to media reports.
It was not until mid-December that it was decided he would be flown out due to a deteriorating condition suffering three cardiac arrests already. Arafat passed away on 22 December, two days before his scheduled medical flight, according to media reports.
Khokhon Chandra Burman is another individual who is still awaiting a foreign medical trip, promised to him by the interim government. Khokon survived police fire, shot in the face, leaving him with a disfigured face.
On 1 January, CA Yunus stated, "It is the state's responsibility to provide medical care for the injured fighters, and we will ensure their financial security."
Despite this, Mita, Saiful, and Munir remain uncertain about any immediate change in their situation.
The CA also launched the distribution of health cards on Wednesday at the State Guest House Jamuna. These cards will provide lifetime free medical treatment at public hospitals for the injured.
