Even after nine months, many of those injured in the July mass uprising and admitted to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) remain uncertain about receiving better treatment.
Around 100 patients are still staying at the hospital, preferring to remain there rather than return home so they can continue receiving medical care.
Between July 15, 2024, and April 15, 2025, a total of 896 patients were admitted to Nitor, confirmed Dr Md Abul Kenan, director of Nitor.
Of them, 106 are still admitted—both in the general wards and cabins—while the rest have been discharged, he added.
Story of the wounded
During a visit to Nitor on Wednesday, it was discovered that although many of the injured had returned to their homes or local areas after initial treatment, a significant number continue to live in fear. Their anxiety has only increased with time.
Auto-rickshaw driver Nadim Hawlader was shot on July 20 near Siddhirganj Bridge. He initially received treatment at Dhaka Medical College and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, where he underwent surgery.
After some recovery, he returned home but was later readmitted to Nitor on August 22, where he underwent four surgeries. Though his condition has improved, his hand remains paralyzed.
He prefers to stay at the hospital, where he can receive proper medication and regular consultations, which he cannot afford at home.
Tarek Rony, a 22-year-old second-year student at Chittagong City Corporation Commerce College, was shot on August 4 in front of Chittagong New Market.
After initially receiving treatment at private hospitals, he was admitted to Nitor on December 2 and underwent two surgeries.
Although his condition is now stable, his hand remains in poor shape. As he is being considered for treatment abroad, he wants to stay at the hospital until arrangements for that are made.
Shahriar, a 13-year-old seventh-grade student, was shot on August 5 near Mirpur Model police station. He was admitted to Nitor the same day and underwent surgeries on both legs.
According to his mother, Shahriar returned home after initial treatment but came back to the hospital on February 12 to have his bandages removed. He is currently undergoing therapy for his left leg.
Although doctors have scheduled his discharge for Saturday, his mother insists that commuting from home for therapy would be both time-consuming and expensive.
She prefers that Shahriar continue his treatment and therapy at the hospital.
Abdullah Al Imran, 24, a final-year philosophy student at Dhaka College, joined the Shahbagh movement on July 9 and was shot by police on July 19 at Bijoynagar in the capital.
After receiving treatment at multiple hospitals, doctors at Nitor advised him to keep a bandage on his leg for three years.
His therapy is scheduled to begin tomorrow, but an infection in his leg still hasn't healed.
Although he once loved playing cricket and football, his current condition has made it uncertain whether he’ll ever be able to play again.
He, too, wishes to go abroad for advanced treatment.
What are Nitor officials saying?
Dr Abdul Kenan told Dhaka Tribune that they are doing their best to provide quality treatment and medication to those injured in the July uprising.
Around 900 patients have received treatment at Nitor over the past nine months, he said.
However, on March 11, a clash reportedly erupted between some of the injured patients and hospital staff in the compound.
Several doctors at Nitor, speaking anonymously, said that patients could stay at home and visit the hospital occasionally for treatment.
They added that those from outside Dhaka could receive therapy or other necessary care at local hospitals, and patients being considered for treatment abroad could also remain at home for the time being and return if further arrangements were made.
However, many patients do not wish to return home and fail to understand that hospital resources are limited, they added.
During the visit, it was also learned that some injured individuals had returned home during the Eid vacation and later came back to the hospital to continue their treatment.
Hospital doctors, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that several patients were occupying hospital beds despite no longer requiring critical care.
They claimed that although these patients had recovered significantly, they had not taken discharge and returned home, leading to a shortage of beds and serious difficulties for critically ill patients in urgent need of hospital admission.
