BNP demands overseas treatment for critically injured July uprising victims
Amid outrage among injured patients from the July mass uprising at NITOR, a BNP delegation visited the hospital on Thursday and demanded that those who were critically wounded be sent abroad for proper treatment
The party also called upon the government to quickly provide each victim of the movement with the promised financial assistance from the July Smriti Foundation.
“We urge the government to immediately identify those who are in critical condition and cannot be treated in the country, and to send them abroad as soon as possible. In particular, those who have lost their sight or have injuries that cannot be treated here should be sent overseas for proper care,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.
Earlier, Salahuddin, along with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, visited the hospital and spoke to the aggrieved patients.
On Wednesday, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum was forced to leave the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) while visiting victims of the July uprising amid outrage.
She was accompanied by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook.
Later, a group of protesters, injured during the July mass uprising and now undergoing treatment, blocked the road in front of NITOR, demanding proper care.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Salahuddin said, "We heard that the Health Adviser and the British High Commissioner came to this hospital but could not meet all the patients, which created resentment among them."
He said the patients had informed them that, apart from treatment, they had not received any other support from the government.
“We understand that they need assistance beyond treatment. Many have said that they have not yet received the promised one lakh taka. We urge the government, which has taken responsibility, to provide this assistance to them as soon as possible,” the BNP leader said.
He said their party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman provided Tk five lakh on Wednesday night and instructed them to visit the hospital in light of the evolving situation.
Salahuddin mentioned that they gave the money to BNP Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam to distribute among the wounded patients based on their needs.
He said that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other party leaders had visited the hospital and provided financial assistance to the victims of the July movement.
“We will continue this care and support from our party. If we are given the responsibility of running the country, we will take steps to rehabilitate the families of those who were killed and injured during the mass uprising,” the BNP leader promised.
Salahuddin also questioned how the fascist Awami League and their cohorts can freely roam and think of doing politics in Bangladesh again after committing genocide.