Is respect too much to ask for?
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Rasel, like many others, had joined the protests on Wednesday near NITOR to demand better medical treatment for those injured in the July uprising.
‘’We risked our lives and limbs for this country, the government has given us separate wards and food, but where is the respect for our sacrifices? I have applied for assistance from the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation. But I am yet to receive any help. We hear many stories about rehabilitation, but we receive nothing.”
The frustration runs deep among the injured protesters, many of whom have lost limbs or suffered severe life-altering injuries. The Daily Star spoke to 15 such protesters, all of whom complained of inadequate treatment, a lack of respect and an uncertain future.
Many said financial assistance for the injured was announced on August 12 but before that, they had to spend from their own pockets for their treatment – money that will never be returned to them.
Their frustration boiled over on Wednesday afternoon when injured protesters blocked the car of Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum on NITOR premises. Some lay in front of the vehicle, while others climbed onto it, after she was leaving the hospital after talking to a few patients.
The protesters then left the hospital and blocked the road in front of it around 2:00pm, demanding that Nurjahan meet all of the injured victims. They also demanded better treatment and financial rehabilitation from the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation.
The protests continued till 3:15am yesterday after four advisers visited them and assured them that the demands would be met.
Thirty-year-old Mohammad Shaon, a motor mechanic, was shot in his left elbow during the uprising. Before the incident, he earned Tk 35,000 to 40,000 per month and was able to comfortably support his family. All that has changed since the day he was shot.
‘’I’ve sold my [child’s] cot, refrigerator, and TV to make ends meet. My landlord is hounding me for four months of unpaid rent.”
Shaon has been receiving treatment at NITOR since August 12.
Though the hospital is providing free treatment and food, he lamented the indifferent behaviour of the hospital staffers and interim government advisers.
“So many have benefited from our sacrifices. Some of them even became advisers. Yet, they show no concern for us. They’ve built their futures on our sacrifices, but we’re left on our own.”
About hospital staffers, he said, “Firstly, they said my arm might have to be amputated and that frightened me. However, a team of medical experts from the UK performed my surgery and it went well ... One of the NITOR doctors, during my first surgery in mid-August, asked me why I even joined the protests. It was very rude.
‘’We’re not asking for luxury -- just respect and proper care for the sacrifices we made,” said Shaon, adding, “Is that too much to ask for?’’
Asked whether he received any financial assistance from the July Foundation, he kept mum.
On the other hand, NITOR Director Prof Dr Kazi Shamim Uzzaman said, “We’re giving the injured victims [of the July uprising] the highest priority in terms of treatment. Many patients are alleging they aren’t being treated with respect, which is not true. They aren’t aware of the complications and treatment procedures.”
Shilpi Akhtar’s 15-year-old son Shahin had to undergo four surgeries since he was injured during the July uprising.
“Doctors said it’ll take six more months for him to recover but there’s no guarantee. His education is in jeopardy, while he is writhing in pain in hospital.”
She said the adviser’s lack of empathy towards victims like her son is where her frustration really lies.
“They came to the hospital but didn’t even visit all the victims. How can we not feel betrayed?”
Currently, 84 injured protesters from the uprising are undergoing treatment at NITOR. Till date, 21 people have had their hands and legs amputated, while six patients have died.
Md Badiuzzaman, deputy director of NITOR, said, “We’ve been providing excellent medical care and treating them with utmost priority … Any claims of us not providing proper treatment are not true.”