The National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) has remained closed for four consecutive days following a clash between hospital staff and patients injured in the July uprising.
The Hospital saw heightened police presence at the hospital’s main gate on Sunday afternoon, along with hospital security personnel.
Hospital authorities said they have yet to receive any instructions regarding the resumption of operations.
Meanwhile, patients are being turned away due to the suspension of all hospital services.
Security staff member Arab Ali said: “All hospital activities are currently suspended. Patients are still coming, especially those who were previously treated and are now returning for follow-ups. But all operations, including the emergency department, are closed. We do not know when the hospital will reopen.”
Shanta Akhter, who travelled from Charfesson in Bhola, told Dhaka Tribune: “I had retinal surgery 15 days ago. The doctor told me to come today to check the condition of my eye. That is why I came. But now I see the hospital is closed. No one can tell me when it will reopen or what to do next. It is not possible for me to travel this far every day.”
A patient named Nazmun Nahar Chaiti said: “The doctor said he would not be sitting here and told me to visit him at a private clinic.”
When asked to name the doctor, she declined, saying: “The hospital has been closed for the last four days and now the doctor is not even answering his phone properly. When he finally did, he told me to come here. Then, after I arrived, I found it closed. Later, I was told he is seeing patients at a private hospital. I do not want to get into any more trouble.”
Hospital to remain closed until security ensured
Dr Zan-E-Alam Mridha, acting director of the hospital, told Dhaka Tribune: “We cannot say when the hospital will reopen. Until our safety is guaranteed, none of us will return to work. As long as hospital services remain suspended, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has advised patients to seek care at nearby hospitals.”
Earlier, Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser, said in a press release that the ministry apologizes to patients for the closure of the hospital.
As an interim measure, patients are being urged to visit the ophthalmology departments of nearby hospitals for treatment, the release said.
Maximum efforts are being taken to resume operations by ensuring a safe environment for service delivery, it added.
The statement said that since the interim government assumed responsibility, specialist doctors at the hospital have been providing the highest standard of care.
However, following the attack on Thursday, all service providers have been feeling unsafe, it said.
As a result, hospital services have remained suspended since Thursday.
Most admitted patients have left, with only the injured from the July uprising currently remaining.
“Even though all services are suspended, special arrangements have been made to ensure meals for the injured from the July uprising out of respect for them. Due to this situation, patients coming from across the country for eye treatment are suffering immensely. We apologize to all affected patients on behalf of the Ministry,” the statement said.
The statement also noted that a delegation has been sent to the hospital to resolve the deadlock. “This delegation is holding discussions with the injured patients and other service providers to ensure their safety. We are currently awaiting a positive outcome. Once a safe environment for treatment is ensured, all medical services will resume through our healthcare providers.”
“In the meantime, as an interim arrangement, we are urging patients seeking eye treatment to obtain necessary care from the ophthalmology departments of nearby hospitals,” the statement concluded.
