Four young men who lost their eyesight during the July uprising and are currently undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Dhaka ingested poison on Sunday, reportedly out of frustration over the government's failure to provide adequate medical care and rehabilitation.
The incident occurred during a meeting around noon in the hospital director’s office, according to hospital sources.
The four were immediately transferred to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where they are currently in stable condition, said the hospital’s director, Dr Md Shafiur Rahman.
The identities of the individuals have been withheld.
Sources confirmed that the four were attending a meeting with the CEO of the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation when they entered the director's office with their demands.
Upon being asked to wait by the CEO, they reportedly reacted in anger and consumed poison on the spot.
The victims alleged that even after nine months, the government has not taken any effective steps to ensure their advanced treatment or rehabilitation.
Despite repeated promises, they claim they have been subjected to constant delays and inaction.
Confirming the incident, Prof Dr Khair Ahmed Choudhury, director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, said: “Four individuals injured during the July movement consumed poison today while undergoing treatment. They were quickly transferred to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, and they are now in stable condition.”
Khair added that the hospital currently has 55 patients under treatment, with 46 of them deemed well enough to be discharged.
He also said: “Only seven to eight still require treatment, but many are unwilling to leave, possibly because they feel safe here under ongoing medical supervision.”
He further explained that many of the patients are not in a sound mental state. “They fear that leaving the hospital will expose them to a range of unresolved issues, including the lack of rehabilitation, which is why they prefer to stay,” he said.
Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital Director Dr Md Shafiur Rahman confirmed that the four were admitted around 2:30pm and are now out of danger.
