The government has committed to implementing all short-term measures for the treatment and rehabilitation of those injured during the July uprising by December, said Information Adviser Nahid Islam.
Speaking after a detailed meeting with over a hundred injured protesters at the Secretariat on Thursday, Adviser Nahid Islam emphasized the government's responsibility to provide the best possible care for those affected by the uprising.
"The injured and martyrs of the movement are connected to the state. It is our duty to honour them, and the government is fully aware of the need to offer them the highest level of support," he said.
Prof Dr Saidur Rahman, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, assured the injured that there would be no tolerance for negligence in their care.
"A dedicated support center will be established after November 17, and fast-track services will be available for their treatment," he announced.
He also stated that efforts would be made to contact every individual who was injured during the uprising, ensuring their needs are addressed.
"Designated beds will be available for the injured protesters in all government hospitals across the country," he confirmed.
The government's swift action aims to provide urgent medical care and ensure long-term rehabilitation for the victims of the July uprising, fulfilling its commitment to those who suffered in the movement.
The meeting, which included several other senior advisers, focused on addressing the immediate medical needs of the injured students and protesters. Advisor Nahid Islam was joined by fellow advisers Noorjahan Akter, Sharmin S Murshid, Farida Akhtar, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, and Mahfuz Alam.
Earlier, a group of individuals injured during the July-August uprising presented a series of demands to government advisers in the meeting at the Secretariat.
The delegation, led by Zihad Islam, a spokesperson for the families of the fallen and the injured, called for both immediate relief and long-term support for the victims of the 2024 uprising.
In the meeting chaired by Health Adviser Noorjahan Begum, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar, Postal, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam, Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Social Welfare Advisor Sharmin S Murshid, Adviser Mahfuz Alam, and Special Assistant on Health Md Saidur Rahman were also present.
The group’s seven-point agenda highlights several key demands to address the needs of the injured and the families of those who lost their lives in the mass uprising-
- The government must ensure that individuals injured in the uprising receive medical treatment of the same standard as that provided to ministers or advisers in the interim administration.
- The medical expenses of those who sought treatment at their own cost must be reimbursed.
- Special recognition cards should be issued to the families of martyrs and the injured, along with a monthly allowance and rehabilitation support for future generations.
- A memorial museum, named the "Smriti Foundation," should be established to honor the martyrs and those wounded in the uprising, and an annual signature campaign should be organized from July 1 to August 5 in remembrance.
- An independent investigation committee should be formed to review the medical records of those who died or lost limbs during the uprising, and legal action should be taken against any medical personnel found guilty of negligence.
- The Awami League and its allies, who are deemed responsible for the violence, must face swift prosecution, and these organizations should be banned.
- The voices of the injured protesters and the families of the fallen must be included in future state reform initiatives, ensuring their representation in shaping national policies.
On Wednesday, a group of protesters receiving treatment for their injuries staged a demonstration outside the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), demanding better care and government support.
Following a meeting with four advisers at NITOR on Thursday, the protesters agreed to withdraw their protest, receiving assurances of proper treatment and expedited release of funds, with further discussions.